BusinessDay 17 Apr 2018

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Tuesday 17 April 2018 34 BUSINESS DAY C002D5556 NEWS Police engage El Zakzaky group as bloody... Continued from page 1 testers were seen moving in their large numbers, chanting war songs and calling for the release of their leader, Sheik El- Zakzaky, a situation that caused tension and disrupted traffic flows especially in Maitama and its environs. The group also known as ‘ Shiites’ were seen confronting heavily armed antiriot Mobile Police men who were parading the city. The Police later dispersed the protesters with armored tanks, antiriot hot water dispensers, tear gas canisters and trained Police Dogs. The group had since 2016 embarked on similar protest across Nigeria and especially within Abuja following the arrest and detention of Sheikh El-Zazaki after the December, 2016 bloody clash with Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State. When contacted on phone, the FCT Police Public Relations L-R: Angela Gittens, secretary-general, Airports Council International World; Boss Mustapha, secretary to the federal government, and Saleh Dunoma, MD, FAAN/president of the ACI Africa Executive Board, at the Airports Council International Conference, hosted by FAAN, yesterday. Officer, PPRO, DSP Jesse Manzah, said the Police was monitoring the situation and will issue an official statement on the crises. “Please give us some time, we are closely monitoring the situation and will issue an official statement very soon.” Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) leader Ibrahim Zakzaky has been jailed since December 2015, when security forces killed hundreds of members in a crackdown on a group estimated to have 3 million followers. The violent repression of the group and the detention of its leader have drawn accusations that President Muhammadu Buhari’s government is abusing human rights. The IMN says Zakzaky must be freed after a court ruled his detention without charge illegal. The crackdown has sparked fears that IMN could become radicalised, in much the same way the Sunni Muslim militant group Boko Haram turned into a violent insurgency in 2009 after police killed its leader. “As we started protesting they started shooting tear gas and using water cannons,” Abdullahi Muhammad, an IMN youth leader, said. “We refused to disperse and they used bullets as well, and they shot so many people.” “They want to push us to violence but they couldn’t, so that is why they are using live ammunition, thinking that killing will stop us. No amount of killing will stop us,” he added. Muhammad said he witnessed police dragging bullet-hit protesters into a van and sitting on them, adding that he did not know if they were dead or alive. At least eight other IMN members were hit by bullets and were now receiving treatment, said Muhammad. An IMN spokesman, who was also at the protests, said at least four people were injured. Budget 2018 faces further delay as Reps miss... Continued from page 1 laid on Tuesday, 17th April, 2018 while Tuesday, 24th April, 2018 was proposed for final passage of the budget. A copy Order Paper seen by our Correspondent as at Monday evening which will guide Tuesday’s plenary session of the House of Reps shows that the 2018 budget is not listed, an indication that it will not be presented for discussions. Efforts by BusinessDay to reach the Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations, Mustapha Dawaki (APC-Kano) on the status of the 2018 budget proved failed as he did not pick calls nor respond to text messages sent to him. However, a staff working with the Committee on Appropriation confirmed that most of the 98 Standing Committees have not submitted their budget to the House Committee on Appropriations as directed by the Speaker. “You cannot blame us for the delay because whatever will be collated is dependent on the standing Committees” he said. “As we speak, not all of the have complied with the (speakers) directive,” he noted. He also told BusinessDay that consultation is ongoing with the Executive on certain issues including the oil benchmark, and other vital matters. The 2018 budget was initially based on a budget benchmark of US$44.5 per barrel but oil prices have remained in the high US$60 since the beginning of 2018. Sources tell BuisnessDay that there are discussions about raising the benchmark to boost the government’s revenue project and cut planned deficit. But at the Senate, a source told BusinessDay that all the Clerks of the affected Committees have been mandated to adhere to the 2018 budget timeline, adding that the Appropriation Committee is up to date on the budget so far. According to him, the leadership of the Senate and House has not shifted to goal post on the passage of the 2018 budget on the 24th April as announced penultimate week. But the source also disclosed that some of the Committees named by the Senate President last Thursday are yet to submit their report also. BusinessDay further gathered from one of the Clerks of the Standing Committees that Monday, 16th April 2018 deadline was given to all the Standing Committees to submit their budget reports. It was however gathered that the Standing Committees of both Senate and House of Representatives are already harmonising their reports in order to ensure ease in the computation of the MDAs’ budgets. But Abdulrasak Namdas, chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs expressed optimism that the 2018 budget will be passed before the end of April 2018. Even if the National Assembly is able to pass the budget this month, analysts believe the executive arm will struggle to fully implement the budget passed due to time constraint. The time it takes to work through procurement procedures means that it will take a minimum of the three months for any capital expenditure to be released and that will by closer to the 2019 elections. BusinessDay journalist wins Citi 2018... Continued from page 4 smart businesses to look to the sun. Some of the solutions that have been developed include innovative renewable energy solutions like solar-powered pepper dryers. Anyaogu’s original perspective, effective use of research and ability to precipitate discussion is what distinguished him from the 19 applications that were submitted in Nigeria. CJEA is a global Citi competition which began in 1982 as a way of recognizing journalists for excellence in financial and business reporting in the markets in which Citi does business around the world. Now in its 35th year, the CJEA is a unique program sponsored and co-hosted by Citi and Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. According to Anyaogu, “Business journalism is too important to be left up to reporters, news organisations must make a conscious investment in their human capital and rely on expert help in analysing important economic issues. This CJEA platform is an important one and more initiatives like this should be encouraged. Congratulations to all those who made the shortlist; this belongs to us all.” A total of 11 business journalists from Europe, the Middle East and Africa will be joining Anyaogu in New York City, where they will be participating in an 8-day business and financial seminar which is administered by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and sponsored by Citi. The program offers participants rigorous workshops in the principles of accounting and finance, and exposure to institutions, policy makers and other thought leaders in the United States. The CJEA applications were reviewed by a committee composed of well-known and respected local individuals who understand the media and how it works, are active in the local community and knowledgeable in international financial/ business/economic affairs and appreciate good journalistic writing. The judging committee is responsible for scoring the articles and for selecting finalists to be considered by Columbia. The 2018 distinguished panel of judges for Nigeria was made up of Ononuju Irukwu, Nimi Akinkugbe and 2017 CJEA Winner, Caleb Ojewale. Nimi Akinkugbe is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bestman Games Ltd, the African distributor of customized editions of Monopoly, Hasbro’s world famous game. She enjoyed a successful banking career spanning 23 years first at Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc where she rose to the position of General Manager and Head, Private Banking and Director Stanbic IBTC Asset Management Ltd. Subsequently she joined Barclays Bank Plc as Regional Director (West Africa) for the Wealth & Investment Management Division and Chief Country Officer for Nigeria. Ononuju Irukwu is the Managing Director, Chapel Hill Denham Management limited, a leading Investment Management Company in Lagos, Nigeria with responsibility for the Wealth and Asset Management business. She is passionate about financial literacy and is committed to ensuring the investing public is sufficiently informed and prepared to plan, save and grow their assets during their working life. She writes a personal wealth column with This Day Newspapers Nigeria and speaks regularly at seminars and conferences for teenage, women and young entrepreneurs. According to Irukwu, “It was a very keenly contested award with the entries touching on very topical issues in our financial markets. As an award for excellence, it was good to see that the journalists paid attention to the relevant criteria that make an excellent and compelling article as well as meets the standards of the Citi Awards.” She goes on to say “As a first time panel judge, I am proud of the quality and content of the articles that we received from Nigeria. I see that Citi through this award has helped to create a sense of keen competition and a drive for true excellence among our financial journalists. I congratulate the winner, Isaac Anyaogu for his contribution and wish him the very best in all his future endeavors. Thank you Citi and thank you to all the participants.” Caleb Ojewale the 2017 CJEA winner is an Analyst and Multimedia News Content Producer at BusinessDay where he covers Agriculture and Technology and the economic implications of the diverse activities taking place in those sectors. According to Ojewale, “I am glad to be part of the process for selecting this year’s CJEA winner in Nigeria, as Citi upholds it’s tradition of fostering excellence in financial journalism. The competition ensures many, if not all journalists, make a conscious effort to publish exemplary works that shed light on important economic and financial issues in our country. There were many good entries this year, and I am particularly glad at the uniqueness displayed in many stories; originality in thinking, apt presentation, and potentials for stimulating development. This year’s winning entry has not failed to live up to the standards at Citi.” Ojewale went on to say “As the winner from last year, I am glad that this year’s entry further lays credence to the need to creatively report issues in agriculture and its development across the country. For an entry focusing on this sector to win for a second consecutive year, shows that agriculture is truly becoming agribusiness, and we all as a country need to take it more seriously.” “CJEA is an opportunity for us to reward journalistic excellence and each year we continue to raise the bar for financial reporting in the country”, said Akin Dawodu, CEO Citibank Nigeria Limited.
Tuesday 17 April 2018 C002D5556 BUSINESS DAY 35 Kenya Airways explains rationalisation of staff, accuses union of negligence IFEOMA OKEKE Barely 24 hours after the unions in the Nigerian aviation industry accused the management of Kenya Airways of unilaterally sacking 24 out of its 26 Nigerian workers, the airline has alleged that the unions did not do enough to protect the interest of its members working with it. A document made available to BusinessDay by a source close to the airline listed several attempts made by the airline to ensure a meeting with the unions on the planned redundancy of some of the workers, but the unions avoided meeting with the management even when some of its officials came from its head office in Nairobi, Kenya. The letter with the reference number: IR/NU- ATE/11/04/2018/BF dated April 11, 2018, sent to the General Secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and signed by Bridgette Imbuga, acting chief human resources officer, Kenya Airways, stated that the airline as of January 15, 2018, notified the union of its redundancy plan and called for a meeting with the airline, which the union refused to honour. According to the letter, NUATE had picked different dates ranging from February 15, 2018, February 26, 2018, March 6, 2018, March 16, 2018, and April 5, 2018, for a meeting with the management of the airline, but failed to honour any of the dates and gave excuses for its inability to honour any of the dates proposed by the union itself. The letter read in part: “Despite our displeasure, we dutifully indulged you and agreed to hold the meeting on the 16th March 2018. Although, you kept us waiting at your national secretariat conference room for the better part of the afternoon, you finally turned up for the meeting at 4:30pm local time on the 16th March 2018. “However, you declined to discuss the redundancy subject and instead proposed that we pick another date to specifically negotiate the redundancy payments. After considering each parties commitments, you personally proposed 5th April 2018, which we mutually accepted and firmed up. “It was therefore shockingly disappointed and unexpected that you failed to attend the meeting on the agreed date without any apologies or prior notification notwithstanding the fact that the management team had travelled to Lagos and were more punctually present for the meeting at the appointed venue. “From the foregoing, it is clear that you are unwilling or uninterested in engaging management in negotiations on such an important matter affecting employees who are your members. On our part, we have demonstrated our willingness and commitment to use our best endeavours to negotiate separation terms for the employees who will be affected by the redundancy.” BusinessDay had reported yesterday that Kenya Airways on Friday sacked 22 out of its 26 Nigerian employees, representing 86.4 percent of the affected workers. A source close to the airline had told BusinessDay that the staff were issued the disengagement letters at the airline’s office in Lagos in the presence of stern looking police officers who were engaged by the airline to scare away the affected staff and prevent possible breakdown of law and order. Only four of its Nigerian staff are retained by the management of the airline after the purging exercise. Those retained are Afeez Balogun, Country Manager, the Station Manager, and two other staff. IFEOMA OKEKE Heritage Bank restates commitment to Nigeria’s creative industry Heritage Bank plc has restated its commitment to the development and growth of the Nigeria’s creative industry. Ifie Sekibo, CEO of Heritage Bank, stated this in a statement issued by the divisional head, corporate communications of the bank at the weekend. Sekibo said Heritage Bank was committed to the development and growth of the entertainment industry, because one of the easiest ways to solve the unemployment issue in the country was to get as many people as possible involved in the entertainment industry, because manufacturing, banking and other sectors cannot do it alone. He said the music industry only be sustained and optimised through the continued development and modernisation of local aviation infrastructure, particularly at airports.” Aliu, who is a Nigerian and first African to serve as the president of ICAO Council, said the major challenge faced by states in the development of airport infrastructure in Africa was inadequate funding, noting that the private sector might be unwilling to invest in aviation development because there was no defined institutional, legal and regulatory framework that could provide the incentive for institutions to investment in airport infrastructure. “It has become increasingly difficult, however, for many states and airport operators to mobilise the significant and dependable funding and investments required for high quality aviation infrastructure. “Another key concern is the risk associated with a lack of sufficient institutional, legal and regulatory enabling frameworks in many African states, something which makes it very difficult for financial institutions to invest in airport projects,” he said. While welcoming particihad done so much for Nigeria in terms of employment and foreign exchange earnings, and if more resources could be put into it, the country would be better for it. Besides supporting individual artistes in the industry, the bank has also partnered with some organisers to perform and produce some entertainment shows. Some of these include partnership with Yibo Koko in association with Bolanle Peters to produce and perform Seki, a dance drama. The event which held at the popular Terra Kulture Arena was graced by members of the diplomatic corps, bank officials and lovers of arts and it featured notable celebrities like Hilda NEWS L-R: Modestus Anaesoronye, insurance/pension, editor, BusinessDay; Chuka Uroko, property editor; Zebulon Agomuo, editor, BDSunday; Longe Eguarekhide, managing director, AIICO Pension Managers Limited/guest speaker; Bill Okonedo, deputy editor, BusinessDay, and Frank Aigbogun, publisher/CEO, during the BusinessDay knowledge sharing lecture series on the contributory pension system in Nigeria, held in Lagos, yesterday. Pic by Olawale Amoo ‘Investment in airport infrastructure to meet surge in passenger traffic is imperative’ President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council, Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, has called for massive investment in airport infrastructure in Africa to meet the capacity of surging passenger traffic, projected to grow by about 3.6 percent annually till 2032. Aliu warned that if concerted efforts were not made in airport modernisation and expansion, the existing airport facilities would become over stretched and threaten safety and security of passengers. Aliu made this known Monday at the ongoing 59th Airport Council International (ACI) Africa Board and Committee Meetings and Regional Conference and Exhibition holding in Lagos. He said, “The current efforts being undertaken to reposition air transport in Africa, and ensure its sustainability, are in clear acknowledgment of the fact that regional air traffic is still forecast to grow at roughly 3.8 percent annually through 2032. “I will like to reiterate that this rapidly-expanding air traffic can Dokubo, Monalisa Chinda Coker, Ibinabo Fiberisima, Julius Agwu, Ovunda Ihunwo, Peace Christian, Deborah Job, Opereke Jamabo Foh and Mercy Albert among others as casts. The bank has also partnered with MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, owners of the DSTV and GOTV brands to bring the third season of the Big Brother Naija to viewers across Africa and beyond. The Big Brother Naija 2018 was recently unveiled with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as the host with 20 house mates battling for the winning prize of N45 million which include a cash gift of N25 million and SUV Jeep among others. The theme of this year’s edition is “Double Wahala.” Libya returnees: Edo approves verification exercise, payment of stipends Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has approved verification exercise and payment of three months stipends for new batch of Libya returnees of Edo State origin. Senior special assistant (SSA) to the governor on Anti-Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Solomon Okoduwa, disclosed this during the verification exercise, noting, “The approval for the verification exercise and payment for the new batch of returnees are part of the promises made by the governor to assist victims of human trafficking and illegal migration and reintegrate them into society.” Okoduwa said since the state government between November 7 and 15, 2017, received the first two batches of returnees, the state had recorded 26 other batches totalling 3,165 returnees. “The verification exercise for pants to the conference, President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, said the Federal Government had continued to promote infrastructural development, facilities renewal and the implementation of policies aimed at facilitating the growth and sustainability of the sector. Mustapha said two major airports in the country were certified, namely: Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, and there was ongoing construction of five new international airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu, to expand passenger handling capacity to 15 million annually. Currently, there is the implementation of Aviation Sector Roadmap, which was approved by the President in 2016 aimed at opening opportunities for investment in the aviation sector, he said. Hadi Sirika, minister of state, aviation, said the ACI, Africa, was being hosted by Nigeria at a time the country was poised to transform its airport infrastructure and the new batch of returnees will be processed in the next 12 days, after which payment of their stipends will commence. Each returnee will be paid a stipend of N20,000 per month for three months. Among them, pregnant women will be entitled to N25,000 each, while those with babies will get N30,000 each,” he said. Okoduwa assured the returnees that they would get their stipends, urging them to follow the required procedures to get verified. Assistant secretary, Edo State Taskforce Against Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration, Lilian Garuba, said, “The returnees who had been verified have been paid. The verification is a precondition for getting the stipends, so we encourage them to come forward for the exercise. “Those who are yet to be ver- regulatory reforms, saying the implementation of these policies would boost revenue, reduce capital flight and reinforce safety and security in air transport in the country. In a speech, Saleh Dunoma, managing director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and also the president of ACI, Africa, said he was elated that Nigeria was given the honour to host the meeting, with the theme: Business Transformation for Sustainable Airports. AC1, Africa, works with its members and also liaises with other international bodies like ACI World, ICAO and others to ensure improved human capacity development by providing various standard and customised trainings in different skill areas to ensure safe, secure and efficiently managed airports, Dunoma said. “Last year, Nigeria signed the agreement to become one of the ‘ AC1 global training centres, to further advance the goal of human capacity development in FAAN and in Africa. The first training after the agreement was conducted in December 2017 where Nigeria received participants from other African countries. ified should be patient. We assure that the taskforce is working to ensure that the directive of the governor is fully carried out. The exercise is to ensure that we monitor the progress of reintegration and follow up where necessary.” One of the returnees, Idemudia Grace, confirmed that she had gotten her pay for a month, adding, “I am here for another round of verification to receive the second payment.” Oghogho Moses, who turned up for the exercise, commended the governor for keeping to his promise to pay returnees three months stipends, noting, “Obaseki has done well for the returnees, he is the first if not the only governor in the country to make provision for stipends to returnees and other packages to assist the returnees’ reintegration into the society.”
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