On Saturday 14th April 2018, the vanguard Publishing Limited amid glitz and glamour gave awards to some of the country’s personalities in government and Business, the event was held at the expo convention centre,Eko Hotel and suite.
Eight person receive life time award, five governors received governor of the year and two award were given in business, following are the personalities present at the event by Uche Nwosisi.
By Oji Odu
Nigerians know that it is ‘One Week, One Trouble’ in the power sector. They know that the cause of the darkness experienced in most parts of each day is either that there is shortage in gas supply because the Niger Delta militants had either blown up gas pipelines or vandalised them.
They also know that it is because the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) cannot transmit the generated electricity to the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) because of rusty and outdated transmission network. Nigerians also know that the DISCOs are neither efficient nor effective in making electricity reach the final consumers, because they are only out to collect revenue by hook or crook, and do not have the capacity to invest in the sector to boost distribution infrastructure and maintain them.
What again? Nigerians know that the water level is always and mostly very low to allow increased power supply, including the fact that there are always systems breakdown. There are myriad reasons for making Nigeria ‘a Nation in Darkness’.
However, Nigerians are tired. There is something they don’t want to hear and know from government and the stakeholders in the power sector. They don’t want to hear and know about these alibi’s and lame excuses to justify their failure to boost the power sector.
In a chat with Taiwo Akinjide, a civil servant in Lagos state, he not only expressed anger but pity and disappointment at the rate government is quick to defend its failure to make the power sector work. This followed recent information by government that the power sector had lost about N108 billion in the first quarter of this year due to water, gas, and transmission constraints.
“ Is government not tired of all this blame game? Don’t they think that Nigerians are tired of the lots of reasons to justify their failure? What the people need is light, electricity to boost their businesses and enjoy improved lifestyle.
“ Nigerians are tired of these lame reasons for poor electricity supply as government continues to justify the DISCOs ripping-off electricity consumers in so many ways without providing the required/paid services, while defending and protecting them from the wrath of the helpless people with so much jargons, indices and statistics which the people do not understand. What the people need is light not bags of reasons for darkness.
“You know that in this part of the world where people still have their indigenous languages on ground, the lingua franca, English language, is best means of telling so much lies to confuse the people who do not really understand it,” he said.
The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) recently revealed that the powers sector lost about N108 billion during the first three months of this year due to several constraints inhibiting the regular supply of electricity in the country, including water, gas and transmission constraints.
Released data from the agency revealed that the power sector loses between N1.2 billion to N1.5 billion monthly to water, gas and transmission line constraints.
For instance, on January 25, 2018, average power sent was 3,971mw and 2,302.8mw was not generated due to unavailability of gas. About 417mw was not generated due to unavailability of transmission infrastructure, while 290mw was not generated due to high frequency resulting from unavailability of distribution infrastructure.Therefore, on that day, the sector lost an estimated N1.584 billion due to insufficient gas supply, distribution infrastructure, and transmission challenges.
In his speech, Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while reiterating Federal Governments commitment towards ending the quagmire in the power sector, acknowledged that the power sector is plagued with structural issues in all key areas- generation, gas supply, transmission and distribution, while the operational capacity of the country’s power plants is less than a third of their installed capacity.
Chronic vandalism has crippled oil and gas pipelines, creating gas shortages at power plants and underinvestment in maintenance and infrastructure has constrained the transmission grid.
“While it is no longer news that we have reached a 7,000MW generation capacity, and have a 5000MW distribution capacity, what is newsworthy is that last month we met with Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), DISCOs, and GENCOs “on how to implement the Eligible Customer Policy and increase connectivity to the 2000MW that is available,” he said.
He disclosed that the Federal Government had secured the World Bank’s approval for $486 million Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) transmission expansion funding, while progress is being made with the same bank for the Rural Electrification and Distribution Expansion Funding.
He expressed joy that in ‘many parts’ of the country connected to the grid, Nigerians are enjoying more light, even though all the problems are not solved. “Citizens acknowledge more power in dry weather, reduced hours of running their generators and reduction in fuel (diesel and petrol) purchase to power generators,” he added.
In his reeaction, Jane Abdul, a University graduate who operates a provision store within Ketu axis of Lagos state, in a chat with the Magazine said: “ Government should know that we are tired of these their watery reasons for poor performance. They were elected to solve these problems, some of which may be true.
“ My fears are that the NESI did not say how they have been trying to surmount the problems which are not new. Now, government has collected a whooping $486 million loan to boost the transmission network ‘as election approaches’. Who will monitor the right disbursement of this money?
“ Please, what Nigerians need is constant light and not the darkness we are forced to pay for. Whether they like, they should go and collect loan and do it, or find ways of increasing water level or gas supply. What we want is light.”
A major player in he Nigerian political scene, former president Ibrahim Babangida, popular as IBB, has in recent times shown that he has not completely lost his grip on the Nigerian power equation. His less than usual vocal nature reared its head recently where he was reported to have sought justification of June 12 1993 presidential election, adjudged the freest and fairest in the country since independence. He annulled the election before the result was announced.
Despite the fact that he has openly supported the coalition movement spearheaded by his fellow musketeer and former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, Babangida recently hosted the National working committee of the Peoples Democratic party, PDP, in his Hilltop Mansion in Mina. The committee was led by the recently elected Chairman, Uche Secondus, and comprised the PDP spokes person, kola Ologbondiyan, the women leader, Hajia Maria Waziri, among others.The meeting, it was gathered was not unconnected with the 2019 presidential election and the selection of the party’s flag bearer. Already, Obasanjo has been in the limelight of charting a new course on the issue, though hey have only one ares of agreement: Buhari should not continue. Babangida has in recent times championed the course of youths taking over the leadership of the country. His call has resulted in some youths, regarded as political green horns-for example, the publisher of Sahara reporters, Sowore, who is believed in some quarters to be fronting for a political gladiator- since the known names are old names in the game.
He had hosted the the newly formed Northern elders forum,
By Bayo Bernard
Top new generation bank, Zenith Bank Plc, has declared N174 billion as its gross Profit-Before-Tax, PBT for the year ended 2017.
The figure is higher than the N140 billion the bank posted as Profit-Before-Tax in 2016, a sharp improvement of more than 24 per cent.
While making this disclosure at its 27th Annual General Meeting in Abuja on Friday, the bank’s Chairman, Jim Ovia said the bank’s Profit-After-Tax rose by 32 per cent, from N119 billion in 2016 to N157 billion in 2017.
Ovia said the performance is very impressive considering that 2017 was particularly a turbulent financial year due to recession and other problem that plagued the economy.
According to him total deposits received within the year-ended December 31, 2017 stood at N2.74 trillion, representing eight per cent increase over the previous year’s figure of N2.55trillion.
The period under review indicate that, total assets of the bank rose from N4.28trillion to N4.83trillion, representing 13 per cent.
At the same time, Zenith Bank’s shareholders’ fund also rose by 15 per cent, representing an increase from N616billion in 2016 to N708billion in 2017.
The bank also posted positive gross earnings within the same year. For example, its gross earnings grew by 48 per cent from N455billion in 2016 to N674billion in 2017, showing strength over its folks.
Ovia said: “Zenith Bank remains committed to delivering superior returns to shareholders. In clear demonstration of this, we have declared and paid them an interim dividend of 25kobo per share in the course of the 2017 financial year”.
After short deliberations on the report of the bank, the shareholders unanimously approved with a vote of no objection for the sharing of final dividend of 245kobo per share that was proposed by the Board. The amount that was approved brings the total dividend for the year ended to 270kobo per share as against 202kobo per share that was paid the previous year.
As a group, the performance indices were very impressive. The group’s Profit-Before-Tax grew by 30 per cent – from N157billion in 2016 to 203billion in 2017.
By Bayo Bernard
The President of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Anya Njoku has said that his tenure will experience adequate reportage of the industry. It’s a new dawn for the association, Njoku said during the inauguration of a new set of executives, who will run the affairs of the association for the next three years.
Other members of the executives are Bayo Bernard ( Vice President), Dapo Olawuni ( Secretary General), Samson Echenim (Ass. Secreatary), Onigbinde Yinka (PRO), Esther Komolafe- Hasan ( Treasurer), and Joy Enamuna (Financial Secretary).
The event also witnessed the absorption of members of other maritime journalists’ association, including, Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), League of Maritime Editors, as part of the ongoing reconciliatory effort to bring all the maritime journalists together under one umbrella.
A press statement released in Lagos by the association’s, Secretary General, Dapo Olawuni said that this was the major highlight of the inauguration ceremony held at the International Maritime Press Centre in Apapa to usher in the newly elected executives.
According to the statement, members who were brought back into the MARAN fold include; Ray Ugochukwu who hitherto was president of MAJAN, and his Secretary, Mr. David Oladimeji.
Others are; Mr. Leye Ajayi, Femi Orioye, Friday Odoemena and Obiajulu Agu. This is the first stage in the ongoing re-conciliatory efforts, the next few weeks will witness the influx of other aggrieved former members back into the Association, the statement said.
Njoku said the reconciliation was in fulfillment of an agreement signed by MARAN and three other associations at a meeting supervised by the National President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Mr. Waheed Odusile.
At the end of the meeting held at the Rockview Hotels in Apapa three years ago, the four associations agreed to coalesce into a single body; Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN)
The three other associations that signed the agreement included; League of Maritime Editors, MAJAN, and the Association of Maritime Journalists (AMJON)
According to Njoku, “The war is over, there is no need for bickering, the door of MARAN has equally been opened to other qualified journalists covering the maritime sector and intending members should submit their applications for consideration.”
Njoku noted further that MARAN will experience a boost after reconciling journalists back under one umbrella in compliance with a Ministerial directive issued by Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi three years ago.
Amaechi had noted then the need for journalists to speak with one voice.
According to Njoku, all heads of maritime agencies should take note that MARAN has now implemented the ministerial directive.
Championship leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers marked their promotion to the English Premier League with a commanding 2-0 win over struggling Birmingham City on Sunday.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had already been guaranteed a lucrative place in the top flight 24 hours earlier when promotion rivals Fulham were held to a draw by Brentford.
Diogo Jota got the party started at Molineux as his 17th goal of the season put Wolves on course for victory after 21 minutes.
Birmingham were reduced to 10 men in the 52nd minute when Harlee Dean was sent off for his challenge on Helder Costa.
Wolves substitute Benik Afobe made the game safe three minutes from time.
Wolves, back in the Premier League after a six-year absence, need one more point to be sure of going up as second-tier champions.
Their superior goal difference over second-placed Cardiff City means that honour is almost secured already.
While Wolves look to a bright future, their local rivals Birmingham are in danger of dropping into the third tier.
They are only two points clear of the relegation zone and have managed only one point from their last three games.
Wolves were indebted to goalkeeper John Ruddy for preventing Birmingham from taking the lead in the 11th minute.
Lukas Jutkiewicz prodded a pass through the Wolves defence and the ball was collected by Maxime Colin.
Colin only had Ruddy to beat from 12 yards but saw his shot beaten away and when the rebound flew straight back to Colin, his second attempt was also saved by Ruddy.
Wolves finally mounted a threat of their own when Ruben Neves tried his luck from 30 yards only to see his shot comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper David Stockdale.
But, while Stockdale was able to deny Neves, he was powerless to prevent Jota breaking the deadlock four minutes later.
Matt Doherty crossed from the right and his centre into the six-yard box was an invitation that Jota was not going to turn down as he bundled the ball into the net from close range.
Birmingham’s task became even harder when Dean was dismissed for bringing down Costa as he raced towards the penalty area.
Jutkiewicz was then denied by Ruddy five minutes from time before Afobe ended their challenge, lifting the ball over Stockdale after a pass from ex-Dundee United man Barry Douglas.
By Chidiebere Onyemaizu
Calculations as to how best to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari wins next year’s presidential election have become a huge threat to Vice president Osinbnjo’s political future. The All Progressives Congress, APC said last week that the decision to retain or drop the Vice President,Professor Yemi Osinbajo as Buhari’s running mate in 2019 lies with the President himself.
This magazine has gathered that the statement stemmed from plots within the president’s inner caucus to have Osinbajo replaced as VP next year. There are suggestions that for political equilibrium, the Professor of Law should be replaced as Buhari’s running mate for the 2019 presidential election with a South easterner or South southerner. The argument for South east is predicated upon Buhari’s manifest marginalization of the zone in terms of critical appointments.
It was furthered argued that ceding the APC 2019 vice presidential slot to the South east will go a long way in disapproving the notion among a broad spectrum of people of the zone that Buhari is an Igbo hater and does not mean well for an average Igboman and the zone.
In the case of South south, those rooting for the region for VP insist it is a sure way to sooth frayed nerves and heal the pains of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss to Buhari in the 2019 election. A member of the president’s inner kitchen campaigning for 2019 South south Vice presidency told The Source: ‘’having a Vice President of South south extraction four years after one of their own conceded defeat to Buhari is a sure way of returning peace to the restive oil bearing region. It will also help to placate militants still seething with anger over Jonathan’s defeat and roaring to disrupt oil production”
Meanwhile, fears of a backlash in the South west over Osinbajo has been allayed. The Magazine has been informed that if the VP is eventually dropped by Buhari as running mate, the region will be compensated with the Senate Presidency. In fact, one of the APC governors in the zone who will be rounding off his second term governorship next year is being tipped as the next Senate President. His choice is anchored on the fact that he was Senator and will not learn the ropes as a Senate President.
However, a group within the APC is rooting for the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, himself also a former Senator, for the Senate Presidency. The group is of the view that the Southwest needs a strong voice in the APC-led federal government and that only a strong character and savvy politician like Tinubu can offer such voice.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games, tagged ‘Gold Coast 2018’, ended yesterday in Australia with Nigeria placed ninth with nine gold, nine silver and six bronze medals.
The country won two gold, two silver and one bronze in athletics and two bronze in boxing. The powerlifters won four gold and two silver while the table tennis team won three silver. The wrestling team won three gold, two silver and three bronze.
Nigeria won 11 gold, 11 silver 14 bronze to place eight at the 2014 edition of the Games in Glasgow in 2014.
Aruna Quadri, who is the top seeded player at the Games, lost 4-2 to Singapore’s Gao Ning to win silver medal to round off the medal haul for the country at the games on the closing day of the games. The Portugal-based player lost the first two sets 11-9, 11-8 but he came back to tie the game in the third and fourth sets after claiming 11-5, 11-3 wins. However, Ning took the last two sets 11-9, 11-5 to win gold.
At the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland, Quadri lost to Ning in the round of 16.
India’s Sharath Achanta, who Quadri defeated in four straight sets to get to the final, clinched bronze after defeating England’s Samuel Walker 4-1.
Quadri’s performance makes him the second Nigerian to play in the final of the men’s singles at the Commonwealth Games. Segun Toriola is the other Nigerian to feature in the final of the men’s singles – he defeated Canadian Johnny Huang to win gold at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games.
Meanwhile, Quadri said he was satisfied with the silver he won as it was better than going for bronze.
“It is not the result that I wanted but I am still very satisfied with my performance and silver is better than bronze,” Quadri was quoted as saying on the ITTF website.
“I am grateful to all those who supported me throughout the Games – my club, Sporting Clube de Portugal, my wife and family, those who prayed for my success and others. It’s time to return to Portugal and face the next challenge in Portuguese league semi-final.”
Manchester City were confirmed as Premier League champions without kicking a ball on Sunday as rock bottom West Brom stunned Manchester United with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
United simply had to avoid defeat to keep the title race mathematically alive, but a late header from Jay Rodriguez gave West Brom a hugely surprising three points and finally gave their fans something to cheer this season.
More importantly, though, it means Pep Guardiola’s City team cannot now be caught at the top of the table, thus handing the Catalan coach his first Premier League crown in just his second year in English football.
Realistically it was always a matter of when and not if City would become English champions for a fifth time following a dominant season from the blue half of Manchester.
But, just a week after spoiling City’s title party by beating their local rivals 3-2 at the Etihad, the way United abjectly gifted the title to their neighbours will sting.
United’s comeback at the Etihad from a 2-0 half-time deficit offered their supporters a rare fillip of flair and excitement after a difficult season where their style of play has hardly endeared Jose Mourinho to the club’s fanbase.
And that was also the case on Sunday, as United failed to spark the imagination in any tangible way even though they were playing a side that had hadn’t won in the league since January.
West Brom sacked manager Alan Pardew at the start of April after just four months following one win in his 18 matches in charge, but even a famous win at Old Trafford may be too little, too late for the Baggies as they still lie nine points off safety with just four games remaining.
United dominated possession early on, but despite the efforts of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, precious little real impact was made by the home side.
Lukaku saw one shot cannon back off the face of West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster, while Pogba’s desire to make a difference saw him booked after half an hour for attempting to steer the ball into the net with a very obvious, very deliberate handball.
Prompted by the abject nature of the opening 45 minutes, Mourinho brought on Jesse Lingard at half-time and he was immediately in the heart of the action as United attempted to wake from their slumber.
West Brom, to their credit, also kept probing forward but they lacked the class required to really open United up at the back.
Mourinho attempted to end the stalemate – and the tedium – by introducing Anthony Martial with half an hour remaining and his introduction undoubtedly lifted the quiet Old Trafford atmosphere.
Increasingly poor conditions and a general lack of thrust continued to inhibit both sides, but United did force Foster into wonderfully save on 66 minutes when he tipped a Lukaku effort around the post.
However, the plucky visitors then sensationally seized their chance when Chris Brunt delivered a corner from the right with 17 minutes remaining. Nemanja Matic panicked at the delivery and headed back inside to Rodriguez, who could not miss from three yards out.
United, sensing the impact of the result, threw everything forward but West Brom displayed some new-found defensive fortitude and held on for a famous victory.
United will want to forget the result and its significance as quickly as they can.
However, the fans of West Brom — and certainly Manchester City — are likely to remember it for quite some time.
Despite blowing the chance to win the league against United last weekend, City still matched United’s record by claiming the title with five games to spare.
Much of the praise has gone to manager Pep Guardiola for moulding a side being compared to the greatest-ever teams to win the English top flight.
But backed by free-spending Abu Dhabi owners, Guardiola has had plenty of talent to work with.
AFP Sport looks at five of the key players in City’s title triumph.
Ederson Moraes
Guardiola showed his ruthless streak after a disappointing first campaign in charge, snapping up goalkeeper Ederson for £35 million ($49 million) within three weeks of the end of the season.
Much of the blame for Guardiola’s first-season struggles was pinned on a series of errors from Claudio Bravo, brought from Barcelona to replace the ostracised Joe Hart.
In contrast to Bravo, Ederson has been solid when called upon to make saves. But, crucially, he is even better with his feet, which suits Guardiola’s style.
The Brazilian’s long-range passing to launch City on the counter-attack and beat any high press employed by opponents has been a regular feature of the season, adding another weapon to City’s frightening attacking arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne
The man most often picked out by Guardiola himself as the heartbeat of this City side, Kevin De Bruyne looks set to battle with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah for the Premier League player of the year awards.
The Belgian leads the league in assists but he offers far more than raw numbers.
“He is the best example and he helps us to be a better club, a better institution for the future,” Guardiola said after De Bruyne led a 4-1 destruction of Tottenham Hotspur in November.
David Silva
If De Bruyne doesn’t get you, David Silva likely will. Having two natural playmakers in the same midfield has made City almost impossible to stop in the same way Guardiola harnessed the brilliant best from Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta in a glorious four-year spell at Barcelona from 2008 to 2012.
“I think David is also one of the best this season,” said De Bruyne.
“Since I came here he has been unbelievable. He helped my game in a lot of ways.”
Silva has also chipped in with his share of important goals — opening the scoring in the first Manchester derby of the season at Old Trafford.
His telling contribution is all the more outstanding given the Spaniard has had to spend a lot of time back in his homeland between games after the premature birth of his son in December.
Raheem Sterling
The beneficial effects of Guardiola’s coaching are clear-cut in the case of Raheem Sterling as the 23-year-old has come of age this season to deliver on his abundant potential.
The England international is City’s second-highest scorer behind Sergio Aguero but his goals have also come at some key moments on their road to the title.
Guardiola’s men were on course to drop points in two of their opening three games until Sterling’s 97th-minute winner at Bournemouth back in August kicked off an 18-match winning run in the league.
That streak was kept alive as Sterling also struck late twice in three days in late November to edge out Huddersfield and Southampton 2-1 to demoralise the chasing pack.
Sergio Aguero
In City’s mega-rich era, managers and players have come and gone but one constant has largely remained — Sergio Aguero’s goalscoring.
The Argentine, who joined the club in 2011, is now City’s all-time leading goalscorer and has enjoyed another bumper season.
Initially challenged for his place in the team by Gabriel Jesus when the Brazilian arrived last January, Aguero has reestablished himself as City’s number one striker.
Sequel to meetings he has had with many stakeholders at Protea Hotel, Lagos, former president Olusegun Obasanjo is stepping up his game of ousting the current president Mohammadu Buhari in 2019. He is currently scheduled to meet the Yoruba elder statesman, Olu Falae, who he once contested against for the presidency. In recent times, Falae has been a victim of kidnap by Fulani herdsmen, who has been unrelenting in his attack on his farm. Once, they were alleged to have burnt his farm.
Obasanjo has met with the former Kano state governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Osun state governor, Olagunsoye Oyinola and former Rivers state governor, Donald Duke, fueling speculations that the joint ticket of Kwankwaso and Duke may be in the wings. Last week, reports indicated that one of the four musketeers, Ibrahim Babangida, officially endorsed the new political movement generally called the third force. This is the Obasanjo movement hat is expected t transform itself into a new political party. Besides, he has been having talks with a coalition of thirty political parties.
In recent times there has been a groundswell of opposition towards the re-election of Buhari,who recently declared his intention to contest amid heightened attacks from Boko haram and Fulani herdsmen and rejection by Northern elites. Recently, the Arewa consultative forum, led by Professor Ango Abdullahi, gave indications that they may not back his re-election bid. despite the red card from prominent Northerners- Abdulsalami Abubakar, T.Y. Danjuma, Mathew Kukkah and other, he still declared his interest to run-and promptly ran to London. In London, he was met by U.K based Nigerian demonstrators asking him not to run.
The opposition to his candidacy has been hinged to his inability to fulfill even a small part of his party’s campaign promises, and his making blame game the center of his administrative policy.
