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  • OAU lecturer debunks indictment report

    Former Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Prof. Adesina Aderibigbe, has debunked a report in an online medium which alleged he was indicted by the Governing Council of the institution. He said he was neither indicted for stealing from the Agric. Farm nor arrested by the university security at the gate as was being rumoured.

    Prof. Aderibigbe, an Animal Nutritionist, told reporters that the report by one Concerned Integrity Group on the thebriefng.com, an online news site whose address cannot be verified, was false and sponsored by some elements within OAU to tarnish his integrity.

    According to Aderibigbe, the spurious publication was planted to stop him from winning election into the Joint Council and Senate Selection Board (JCSSB) for the appointment of a new Vice-Chancellor. Nonetheless, Aderibigbe is happy that he emerged victorious among the four contenders.

    He said: “I have never been indicted by the university’s Governing Council or any committee in the university or anywhere else. Rather, my efforts and those of other faculty deans were commended by Council, which consequently approved a sum of N30 million for the farm. Even the former VC, Prof. Roger Makanjuola, on August 24, 2005, wrote me a letter, Ref. No. VC90/Vol.VI/6,to congratulate me on my various achievements as the dean during that period.

    “The false story on my person was targeted at stopping my election into the JCSSB for the just concluded VC appointment. However, my colleagues knew my track record, character and integrity and voted overwhelmingly for me despite the massive circulation of the false online story a day before the election in Senate. The evil perpetrators failed in their attempt to stop me from winning one of the two Senate spots. Subsequently, I discharged my responsibility creditably well during the VC selection process to the unprecedented satisfaction of all the 21 applicants, members of OAU community and Nigerians in general.

    ‘’I want to use this opportunity to clear my name and hard earned reputation and integrity which the faceless and cowardly “Concerned Integrity Group “attempted to rubbish, but failed woefully. I am very happy that the sponsors of the false story did not achieve their goals.”

    Aderibigbe said his initial reaction was to overlook the story, but had to rescind that decision following the advice of colleagues and family members. “The entire story is fake and unfounded. It was meant to achieve an evil purpose, but they have failed woefully.”

    He said no amount of blackmail and sponsored stories by some disgruntled elements within and outside the university would stop him from being focused and doing what is right, fair and just.

    “In fact, winning the election despite the false and evil publication, was like a double vote of confidence in me by my distinguished colleagues in the Senate, for which I am very gratefu. I thank God for making me not to disappoint them during the selection process. I will remain resolute to maintain my honour and integrity always.”

    He said he has already instructed his lawyer to begin legal process against the operator of the online site who he accused of not verifying the story before running it online.

    “I want to assure my colleagues, students and family members that no amount of falsehood through whatever means will deter me from standing on the side of truth, fairness and justice. It took me decades to build my career and hard earned honour and integrity. I will continue to uphold the truth in any circumstance and defend my integrity always. The false and malicious online story against my person failed woefully to achieve its aim,”  Aderibigbe concluded.

  • LSE lists three Obijackson Group firms in maiden report

    LSE lists three Obijackson Group firms in maiden report

    About 343 firms in Africa were listed in the maiden edition of the Companies to Inspire Africa Report unveiled in Lagos. Fifty-nine were Nigerian companies, with three from the Obijackson Group, EMEKA UGWUANYI reports.

    The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has unveiled the maiden edition of its “Companies to Inspire Africa Report.”

    The unveiling of the report which covers 343 African firms of which 59 are nigerian companies took place in Lagos during the week.

    At the event, LSE Group Chief Executive Officer, Xavier Rolet, said: “The motivation behind researching and publishing this report was to demonstrate what we instinctively believe – that these companies are fundamental to the successful future of the African economy, with enormous potential for growth and high quality job creation. High growth private companies are fast becoming the driving force behind African economies: and are developing skills, creating high quality jobs and driving economic growth.”

    He said three of the 12 companies under the Obijackson Group, an integrated oil and gas conglomerate, made the list, which was compiled by LSE, African Development Bank (AfDB), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), CDC Group, Citi, FTI Consulting and Diamond Bank.

    The companies are Nestoil, Energy Works Technology (EWT) and B&Q Dredging. Nestoil Limited is the Group’s oil and gas pipeline construction arm.

    EWT is a specialist in pressure vessels, process plant equipment, and oil and gas steel structures manufacturing. It is also an ISO 9001:2008 and UKAS-certified manufacturer. B&Q Dredging has the largest fleet of dredgers in Nigeria.

    “The report showcases Africa’s success stories to investors, policy makers and other stakeholders in the global space.

    According to Rolet, the rigorous evaluation, which resulted in the identification of the nominated firms included an analysis of the company status, growth capacity over the past three years in terms of revenues, staff strength and operational output. Revenue analysis was based on audited financial accounts, undertaken and accredited by one of the “Big Four”audit firms.

    Highlighting the efficiency of the companies in the report, Rolex said: “The companies listed and profiled in the report boast an impressive average compound annual growth rate of 16 per cent.”

    The World Bank Treasurer, Ms. Arumah Oteh, who was at the event, said:“The companies profiled in the report, not only generate vital employment opportunities and contribute to sustainable economic growth, but are also the bastions of Best Practices and Good Corporate Governance. They have also had to weather the challenges that African private entities often have to contend with, notably a difficult operating environment, weak infrastructure and inadequate access to finance.”

    Obijackson Group Group Managing Director  Dr. Ernest Azudialu-Obiejesi, who expressed delight over three of his firms making the list, said: “This recognition has joined the list of factors propelling our Group forward to the achievement of greater level of best practices, good governance, quality and efficiency, in our effort to help lift a huge number of people out of poverty on the continent. We happily accept the recognition and interpret it as a call for us in the Obijackson Group to remain focused in our mission of contributing substantially to economic growth, further creation of quality jobs, training and sustaining some of the best talents in Africa, generation of tax revenues and helping to drive forward our continent of Africa that is home to more than one billion people.”

    Also, President, Council of the European Union (EU), Prof Edward Scicluna, who also attended the unveiling of the report,  said: “The companies showcased in the “Companies to Inspire Africa  Report” will generate productive jobs and sustainable livelihoods, and this is an admirable milestone in the rise of Africa’s entrepreneurs – sharing theirs success with the global community.”

    Another guest, the Rt. Hon. Priti Patel, a member of the British Parliament and the British Secretary of State, Department for International Development, said: “Companies to Inspire Africa showcases some of the outstanding stories of innovation, bravery and growth across the continent. It brings Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit to an international audience, and I would like to congratulate all the companies featured, for their vision, ambition and tenacity. It is their success that will drive Africa forward to a future of prosperity and away from reliance on international aid.”

    The Obijackson Group of Companies, with exceptional technical capabilities and proven expertise in every sphere of its operations, has been acknowledged as one of the fastest-growing conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa.

    The Group has over 2,000 employees. Its other subsidiaries are Shipside Dry-dock, Hammakopp Construction, Impac Oil and Gas Engineering, Nesthak Limited, Century Power Generation, Nesto Aviation Services and Neconde Energy Limited.

  • Report: Nigeria leads in beer consumption

    Report: Nigeria leads in beer consumption

    Africa is by far the fastest growing region for beer consumption, market research group Global Data (formerly Canadean) has said.

    The group said it found over five per cent annual growth of beer consumption in Africa, compared with three per cent for Asia and less than one per cent for Western Europe.

    “There is untapped potential,” Global Data Analyst Andrew Curran said, noting that although, Ivory Coast is outside the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa, it is showing more or less matching growth rates to the top 10.

    With 12.28 liters per year, Nigeria leads the top 10 biggest beer drinking countries in Africa, by virtue of her population, which technically results in higher volume and liters consumed per year.

    Beer makes up just 16 per cent of alcohol consumption in Nigeria, while other drinks make up 84 per cent due to the high popularity of home-brewed beverages.

    Nigeria is being followed on the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa by Uganda, which consumes 11.93 litres per year; Botswana is third, with 7.96 litres per year, leaving Kenya in the fourth position, with 9.72 litres per year.

    While Namibia and Burundi consume 9.62 litres per year and 9.47 litres per year, respectively, South Africa and Gabon consume 9.46 litres per year and 9.32 litres per year, respectively.

    Rwanda consumes 9.10 litres of beer per year, while Tanzania consumes 7.7 litres of beer per year.

    However, Global Data’s research identified Ivory Coast as one of the continent’s most dynamic economies, with annual growth of over eight per cent, and her beer market is also expected to expand.

    “The Ivory Coast is outside the top 10 beer consuming countries in Africa, but it is showing more or less matching growth rates to the top 10,” the report said, adding that Ivory Coast has also gained importance since the recent merger between rivals SAB Miller and InBev.

    According to Curran, SAB Miller and InBev have consolidated their dominance in South Africa and forced Heineken to focus on the francophone West.

    He believes that success in the Ivory Coast could lead to further gains in the region, such as in Burkina Faso and Benin,

    Global Data’s report of Ivory Coast’s push to the top 10 biggest beer drinking countries in Africa came on the heels of Dutch multinational Heineken’s investment of $160 million in the West African country’s beer market.

    Heineken recently launched a new brewery named Brassivoire in association with distribution specialists CFAO on the outskirts of the Ivorian economic capital Abidjan.

    The $160 million state-of-the-art facility has capacity to produce 160 million liters of beer a year. The brewery will produce Heineken Ivoire beer, the result of extensive research into local tastes.

    Brassivoire has around 200 highly-skilled local employees, who have received over 3000 hours of training between them, according to General Manager Alexander Koch.

    The Dutch beer giant Heineken, which is the world’s second largest brewer, is targeting the Ivory Coast, and has said that its Ivoire brand has been well received and intends to scale up production.

    The vast majority of beer consumers in Ivory Coast are provided by French company Castel Groupe, which owns popular brands including Solibra, Flag and Castel. Castel Groupe previously held near monopoly on Ivorian beer market.

    However, with the inauguration of a new $160 million state-of-the-art plant, Heineken has made an ambitious play for the fast-growing Ivorian beer market.

    “It (Ivory Coast) has a young population, a high rate of urbanization – almost 50 per cent already – a dynamic economy and there is only one player so far,” says Heineken CEO Jean-Francois Van Boxmeer.

    What this means is that the battle for the soul of Ivory Coast’s beer market may have commenced. Already, Heineken believes its new Ivoire beer can eat into Castel’s market share, with its relatively low price and a product designed for local consumers.

    “We researched for years,” Koch said, adding, “We developed the bottle, the name, the color code, even the recipe together with the Ivorian consumer.”

    He said the new beer has performed well so far, and production will soon increase. “The Ivoire brand has had an incredibly good reception from the Ivorian consumer,” Koch stated, adding, “We are currently running at full capacity and will bring forward some of our investments to meet demand.”

  • Tinubu ‘has no hand in negative report on any senator’

    Tinubu ‘has no hand in negative report on any senator’

    •ThisDay gets knocks for ‘selling its soul’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu commented yesterday on a report in which he was accused of “conspiracy to destroy the Senate”.

    The report was published by ThisDay in its April 2 edition.

    He described the report as “political libel” and spurned it as “balant lie”.

    In a statement signed by Tunde Rahman for the Tinubu Media Office, the former Lagos State Governor, said:

    “After giving substantial time for ThisDay to correct the outright falsehood used as cover story for its Sunday, April 2 edition, we are constrained to correct the record. Those behind the report are practitioners of political libel. That blatant lie was reported as fact breached the minimum standards of journalism. It is sad that ThisDay allowed itself to become an instrument of errant mudslinging.

    “Hopefully, ThisDay was only a dupe in this deception. It would be painful to think the newspaper might have been wilfully complicit in this bald assault against truth. There is nothing wrong with publishing hot news; but hot news should never amount to a rotten lie.

    “The newspaper claimed in the report “PDP Caucus Accuses Tinubu, EFCC of Conspiracy to Destroy Senate” that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in concert with the EFCC, has instigated media attacks against the PDP Senate Caucus.

    “The story is such an outright fabrication that it claims the PDP Senators held a special meeting to discuss Asiwaju Tinubu. However, PDP Senators claim no such meeting was ever held and that they hold no special animus toward Asiwaju Tinubu.

    “We are usually not in the position of agreement with PDP members. But on this rare occasion, we have no contention with them.  Asiwaju Tinubu is a former Senator. He has a special affection for the Senate as an institution. It is not within him to belittle the institution or members of that institution who happen to be in the opposing political party.

    “Moreover, his brand of politics does not lend itself to engaging in wanton character and personal attacks. There is significant policy difference between our progressive school of thought and the often reactionary ideas of the PDP.  There are more than enough serious issues over which to grapple the PDP.  Asiwaju TInubu’s politics are driven by his policy views. He will gladly wrestle against the PDP on substantive political differences. But engage in personal attacks, rumor-mongering and mudslinging, never.  We leave that for others. The gutter is no place to build a better nation. We seek higher ground.

    “So that there is no confusion on the core issue here, we categorically deny any hand in any negative personal report on any senator.

    “In that the PDP leadership disavows such a meeting, we must question the source of ThisDay’s fictional account. More importantly, we can only conclude that the impetus for this liar’s account can only be a malign one.”

    In TInubu’s view, “the false story is motivated by venal political objectives that dare not come out of the shadows”.

    “Those behind the report know they cannot show themselves for what they truly are. Their tactics are underhanded because their objectives are equally so.  They lie because the awful objective they seek cannot be gained by telling the truth.

    “Some malefactors want to use the name of Asiwaju Tinubu to stir opposition in the Senate to the confirmation of Magu as EFCC chairman. By trying to paint Magu as Tinubu’s partner in mudslinging, the false story seeks to induce senators to oppose Magu as a way of thwarting Asiwaju Tinubu.

    “The authors of this screed thus revealed their moral barrenness.  The fight against corruption is a cardinal battle this nation must win or forever forego its greater destiny.  Despite the importance of this matter, someone is trying to exalt his narrow personal interests above the long-term interests of the nation. Someone so brazen and self-absorbed is a dangerous instrumentality when placed in a position of power.

    “That person will undermine the very institutions of democracy to get his way. In this very story, they have tried to break down both the Senate and the press in one swoop. Sadly, they seem to have already conquered at least one important press organisation. ThisDay apparently has shunned the ethics and ways of responsible journalism.  One can only hope that the newspaper received enough in return for selling its journalistic soul.”

    The statement dismissed the report as a “fable”

    It said: “The anatomy of the report is that of a fable that never should have been told.  The report centered on a meeting that never held. The reporter neither stated who attended the meeting nor alluded to any formal statement issued after the meeting.”

    The PDP caucus had earlier denied ever meeting to discuss Tinubu and the EFCC.

    The Southeast Caucus Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who has been named the spokesman of the party’s caucus said: “It is far from the truth. We did not at any time discuss Senator Tinubu at any meeting and nobody accused the EFCC of anything.”

    Besides, when the party’s caucus and its leaders met, there was no mention of either Tinubu or the EFCC.

  • Davido snubs paternity report mess, promotes tour

    Davido snubs paternity report mess, promotes tour

    Following the success of his latest single, ‘IF’, hip hop artiste and record label boss, Davido, is set to go on a tour. Though he is yet to give details of the proposed tour, the artiste announced via his social media handles that he would be ‘hitting the road soon’.

    In a Saturday tweet, Davido hinted at Abuja being on the itinerary. ‘ABJ WAY let’s f..k up the city’, he wrote, attaching his picture to the tweet. On Sunday, the DMW boss provided more clues regarding his next move.

    ‘Hope y’all are enjoying the new music,’ he said, referring to ‘IF’, his latest single.

    ‘Number 1 song in Africa now … Getting the best results takes major practice and trust me, I have time for it ! let’s take Africa to the world. Hitting the road soon.’

    This tour is coming on the heels of his recent spat with a Nigerian daily over an article which alleged that the artiste is involved in another paternity mess.

    According to the report, an Ibadan-based girl, Ayotomide Enitan Labinjoh is claiming that Davido is the father of her daughter, Aanuoluwapo, despite a DNA test which ruled out Davido as biological father-.

    In several tweets over the weekend, Davido, who is expecting a second baby from US-based girlfriend, Amanda, dismissed the allegation and even threatened to sue the publication.

    Davido already has a daughter, Imade, from his first baby mama, Sophie Momodu.

  • Still waiting for the ‘Damning Report’ on Magu

    Surely, there has to be a lot more to the Senate refusal to confirm Ibrahim Magu as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) than the contents of what is being circulated in the media as “security report”. In all honesty, it is hard to see the ‘damning’ part of what the public has been fed with so far, or how it even qualifies as a security report in the first place.

    To be sure, Magu’s transgressions include allegations that he lives in a N20 million a year accommodation (or N40 million, whichever figure sounds more sexy) paid for by FCDA (or Magu’s “questionable” businessman friend, whichever version is more fit for purpose); that he once flew in a private jet owned by, and in the company of the same ‘friend’, a retired Air Commodore; that he once flew first class to Saudi Arabia for Umrah; that he was once arrested and detained by his bosses for taking official EFCC files home from the office.

    I have tried to list these allegations in their order of severity. However, it so happens that as you move from one to the next, you are not so sure about which is more flimsy among the charges. There are one or two more details such as the private jet in which he flew (from Maiduguri to Abuja) also had, as one of its passengers, a bank managing director under investigation at the time by EFCC.

    Now, let’s forget the flimsiness of these allegations for a while, or the accuracy of the ‘facts’ for that matter, and look more dispassionately at the case, at least now that the shock value of the report has waned somewhat.

    Starting with the N40 million naira rent, the substance of the SSS allegation appear to hinge initially on the insinuation that Magu’s residential accommodation was paid for by this businessman whose activities the DSS only recently determined to be on the wrong side of the law. However, the evidence has turned out to invalidate the narrative. First, documents that we have seen in the media, including contract details, show clearly that the rent was paid for by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the government agency that has in the past been responsible for accommodation of political appointees based in the federal capital.

    So what is the source of the misrepresentation? It is not clear at this point whether it was deliberate misinformation by the DSS or the product of spin and propaganda by the hatchet man. But for what purpose really? It is also very questionable why a two-year rent term was first made to look as if it was rent paid for only one year, obviously for exaggerated effect. The padding of evidence can only mean that even the authors of the report are not very convinced about the strength of the initial evidence and its capacity to achieve the intended “damning” purpose.

    The allegation about the private flight from Maiduguri in the company of the same “questionable” businessman was obviously constructed to achieve the same impression as the one about the link with the rented accommodation – guilt by association. Until Magu himself speaks, it is premature to reach any verdict one way or the other about the significance of this plane ride, since the DSS has not told us anything of substance beyond describing the physical encounter between the Acting EFCC Chairman and the owner of the private jet. However, it would be a real tragedy of national proportions if what the DSS does by way of top security intelligence gathering is to try to create a pattern from two disparate events with no connection whatsoever, in order to establish guilt by association.

    The allegation about the first-class trip to Saudi Arabia would appear on the face of it to be more clear cut, considering that it is a more straightforward matter whether the man violated a federal government directive or not. Never mind that it is the most flimsy ground on which to base a ‘security’ report. The matter even becomes more academic if, as we have also read in the media, Magu paid for the ticket with his own money. Why should it matter to us how Magu decides to spend his own money, as long as he is not encroaching on any of our rights or offending our sensibilities? Except you can show that the money was corruptly acquired.

    Now the one about the official files that were found in Magu’s home during Farida Waziri’s time is the most baffling, and raises the biggest question about the real purpose of the DSS secret memo to the Senate. Honestly, the DSS will have to clarify what is the problem with possession of confidential files for which the officer has been granted authorized access. In all the years that I served in the Civil Service, I am shocked to hear that taking files home to treat is one of the cardinal sins of the service. For those of us who did not recognize the distinction between private time and official hours in the amount of time and effort that we devoted to public service, the DSS report is beginning to make me feel like the biggest transgressor of my time.

    Beyond that, the DSS should come clean with the real reasons for why the candidate is unworthy of the position of chairman of EFCC. Because there is nothing to suggest that what we have been fed so far in the media is the product of any rigorous intelligence gathering or that it even qualifies to be described as security report.

    For most Nigerians who have been on the receiving end of the scourge of corruption, the interest is simply in having an anti- corruption agency that is strong enough to confront the monster with all the force that we can muster. True, there is nothing that equates an effective anti-corruption agency only with Magu at the top. But the process of selecting the leadership of that institution should not become an arena for executing an agenda that erodes the credibility of that institution as well as undermines its future effectiveness.

    In giving the DSS the benefit of the doubt, it is probable that they think the EFCC position is too serious and sensitive to allow any detail to go unnoticed. But it is precisely for that reason that Nigerians expect a supposedly serious institution like the DSS to treat the matter with the seriousness that it deserves and not with the underhandedness that they have handled the Magu report. In a proper democracy, issues relating to conflict of interest of public officials are placed in the public domain, not surreptitiously designated as ‘security report’.

    In the off-chance that the DSS has information about Magu that validly disqualifies the man from holding that position, by all means let’s have it. The EFCC and the DSS are both accountable to Nigerians. If they are holding on to a more serious version of this ‘security report’ it should be declassified for the sake of the integrity and credibility of the process – because the current version just doesn’t wash.

    • Joseph writes from Gwarimpa, Abuja.
  • NERC slams N47.6m fine on TCN over audit report

    NERC slams N47.6m fine on TCN over audit report

    The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has been fined N47,670,000 by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over the company’s failure to submit its 2013 and 2014 audited financial statements.

    According to a document with reference number NERC/Directive/160 signed by the acting Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, and General Manager, Legal, Licensing and Enforcement, Mrs Olufunke Dinneh, TCN has up to two weeks to pay the fine beginning from December 2  when the Directive was signed. The fine attracts five per cent interest daily after the due date.

    The commission said in a statement that TCN for failure to submit audited financial report has violated “Section 63 (1) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, 2005 that stipulates“a licensee shall comply with the provisions of its license, regulations, codes and other requirements issued by NERC from time to time.”

    Other infractions as contained in Directive 160 include Condition 4 and 5 of TCN’s Transmission Licence. Condition 4 stipulates that “Licensee shall furnish to the Commission information, in such a manner and at such times as the Commission may require” at the time and format as may be required by the Commission to perform its regulatory functions.

    Condition 5 of TCN’s licence further directs it to submit audited financial reports to the Commission as detailed in its Transmission Licence.

  • Ugwuanyi and BugdIT report

    The recent report released by BudgIT, a data-simplifying civic organization, which listed Enugu, Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the federation that can fulfill obligations to their workers, was not only a remarkable feat for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State but also a demonstration of his managerial instinct to navigate the state through the current economic crunch.

    The verdict, which is widely adjudged as objective based on facts and figures, flaunts the commitment of the governor to advance good governance and deliver on his campaign promises to the people of the state despite the current economic recession.

    It has also showcased the governor’s ethos in prudent management of the state’s lean resources for the well-being of the people through accountability, transparency, financial discipline and application of the best economic practices that would engender sustainable growth and development.

    Enugu State is third from the bottom of the federal allocation chart. It is also predominantly a civil service state with high expectations from the people borne out of the long held belief in the expansion of the state’s economic potentials.

    It would be recalled that Ugwuanyi in his inaugural address promised to govern by example, to lead a lean government to free up resources and channel them to the real development issues, which include the welfare of the workers of the state. He had assured the people that every kobo of the state “will be utilized transparently and in a way that adds value to your lives”.

    A critical review of the activities of the administration shows that the governor had made good his promise to lead the state on the path of administrative ingenuity and prudent management of its lean resources as a catalyst for the entrenchment of good governance and socio-economic development.

    It is pertinent to note also that among the three states listed by BudgIT that are still able to meet their recurrent needs, Enugu is the least in terms of federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    As a civil service state, Enugu is not economically viable like Lagos and Rivers states which generate huge resources from commercial activities; still it was able to make the list alongside the two economic giant states – a feat, which many have described as outstanding.

    It is on record, that while Ugwuanyi’s administration pays workers’ salaries regularly, it has also embarked on numerous massive infrastructural development of the state with some road projects completed for inauguration in December.

    The governor in a bid to alleviate the pains motorists pass through while plying some federal government roads in the state, recently embarked on the quality rehabilitation of the failed sections of the Oji River- Ugwuoba- Anambra State border (by old road) and 9th Mile – Nsukka – Benue State border, despite the nation’s financial drought and huge sum of money the federal government is owing the state on past rehabilitated roads. In the words of the governor, “this administration cannot sit down and watch road users suffer this much on the roads, hence the need for the rehabilitation”. The road intervention, which has the backing of the State Executive Council, has equally given credence to the governor’s vision to “deploy government services to create fair and equal opportunity for every willing citizen to make a living and create wealth, educate our children, and enjoy life in a peaceful and secure environment”.

    On the vision to take development to the rural areas as part of the grassroots development initiatives to create new urban centres, boost socio-economic activities, create employment opportunities and reduce the pressure on Enugu metropolis, Ugwuanyi’s administration only recently flagged off 35 development projects spread across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. All these capital projects and other remarkable feats in various strata of the economy are ongoing while the state is still able to fulfill obligations to its workers.

    Reacting to the BudgIT’s report, the state chapters of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were the first to applaud Ugwuanyi for his vision, administrative ingenuity and sheer dexterity in prudent management of the state’s lean resources.

    In a statement jointly signed by the state Chairman and Secretary of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), Comrade Igbokwe Chukwuma Igbokwe and Comrade Ben Asogwa, the workers said that “it was an exceptional display of quality leadership for the governor to pay salaries regularly and still execute capital projects, despite the current economic crisis in the country”.

    The labour leaders added that “for Enugu to be listed alongside Lagos and Rivers as the only states in the federation still able to meet their recurrent needs, shows that Governor Ugwuanyi is a visionary leader who is committed to the wellbeing of the people”.

    On his part, the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, said that the party was not surprised by the BudgIT’s report, stressing that “Ugwuanyi had maintained a culture of financial discipline that has helped his administration to save cost and ensure that its lean resources were adequately utilized for priority issues that would add value to the lives of the people of the state”.

    The party therefore, urged the governor to remain focused and steadfast in his vision to advance good governance and deliver on his campaign promises to the people of the state in line with the PDP manifesto.

    Also commenting on the BudgIt’s report, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) during a solidarity rally in commemoration of the 67th anniversary of the slaying of 21 workers agitating for better working conditions at the Iva Valley Coal Mine, in Enugu, paid glowing tributes to Ugwuanyi for prioritizing the welfare of workers in Enugu State and ensuring that their wages are paid regularly.

    Describing him as the man with the magic wand, the NLC’s head of Industrial Relations and Organizing Department, Comrade Emmanuel Ugboajah, who represented the body’s national president, noted that the solid accolades Enugu State received as one of three states that is regular in taking care of basic responsibilities of its workers was because the governor was committed to prudent management of resources and welfare of the workers, urging him to share same with his colleagues.

    Ugwuanyi who had reassured the people of his resolve to ensure even development of the state, attributed the feat his administration has recorded so far to the grace of God and prudent management of the state’s lean resources.

    From all indications, it is obvious that Ugwuanyi is at his peak in providing the dividends of democracy for the people Enugu State. Enugu state is truly in the hands of God.

     

    • Amoke writes from Enugu.

  • Report: Financial inclusion ‘still a challenge in Africa’s low income communities’

    Africa’s financial environment is as competitive as other developing and high income regions in some countries, but access to finance remains a challenge, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales  (ICAEW).

    In its report, Economic Insight: Africa Q3 2016, the accountancy and finance body notes that whilst some countries have excellent financial soundness access to credit remains a challenge for many Africans.

    The report undertakes a comparative review of the financial systems and regulations in Africa relative to the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region. It compares indicators of the financial environment (including credit metrics, risk evaluation and monetary policy), as well as regulation and supervision standards.

    The report looks at the role financing can play in economic development across the continent, and likely developments in the cost of financing in the coming years. In 2016 rankings, Rwanda performed best in SSA in terms of getting credit, followed by Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Mauritius and Uganda. This likely stems from the fact that Rwanda has made six reforms to facilitate getting credit during the 2010-16 period, strengthening borrowers’ and lenders’ collateral laws.

    However, Regional Director, ICAEW Middle East, Africa and South Asia, Michael Armstrong, notes that “financial inclusion remains low in Africa. According to him while many of Sub-saharan Africa’s population have access to a formal banking system, in low income communities the degree to which individuals can access financial services is limited, especially when considering the limited availability of private credit.  He observed the situation could have real effects on economic growth if it remains unchanged. Governments hoping to drive prosperity should consider how they can increase access to finance.

    Quoting a report “Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A)”, he said  in 2015 only 23 per cent of African households had access to formal or semi-formal financial services adding that that there is evidently significant variation between countries’ levels of financial sector development.

    The report notes that South Africa and Mauritius have the highest Private Sector credit extension (PSCE))to GDP ratios on the continent, with South Africa’s figure estimated at 150 per cent in 2015 while Mauritius’ ratio is estimated at around 104 per cent.

  • Editor advises journalists on investigative reporting

    Editor of a leading online newspaper, Premium Times, Mr Musikilu Mojeed, has charged owners of media houses to invest in effective capacity building of journalists working in their organisations to promote transparency in events reportage.

    Mojeed, an award-winning investigative journalist, spoke at a two-day conference with the theme: “Corruption, transparency and accountability in public and private organisations”. The event was organised by the West Africa chapter of the Academic Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) at the Department of Mass Communication of the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    The Premium Times editor, who spoke on “Media and investigative journalism”, noted that it was necessary for media owners to commit more resources to training and retraining of journalists on investigative journalism and data gathering.

    Speaking on the need to engage budding reporters on investigative journalism practice, Mojeed said Premium Times had been making effort to create platform to train reporters on investigative journalism.

    He urged journalists to complement their duty of holding government accountable to the people with actions and factual reportage.

    He also advised the media to consistently educate people on impact of corruption on governance, observing that graft remained the obstacle against the government to provide good infrastructure, quality education and ensure buoyant economy.

    The Editor said the media must pay attention to the activities of anti-corruption agencies and security operatives to keep them on their toes in performing their statutory duties with professionalism.

    He said: “Journalists must check corruption in the media too. We need not embrace corrupt politicians. We should keep reporting issues of corruption until actions are taken to stop it.  Consistent reporting on corruption cases is very important in the fight against corruption.”