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$1bn lost to oil swap deal –NEITI George Opara, Abuja

igeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiatives, NEITI, said Nigeria lost over $I billion in the oil swap agreement contract of the Nigerian Na-

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tional Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, from 2011 to 2012. NEITI stated this at the public hearing organised by the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee to forensically investigate officials of NNPC and its subsidiaries, including

the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS. NEITI, in its report noted that the objective of the swaps arrangement might have been compromised and abused. It stated that in 2012, the cost of the crude oil Continued on Page 2>>

Olubadan passes on at 100 Oba Samuel Odulana

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Metuh in handcuffs, gets N400m bail Anti-corruption war: More heads to roll, says Buhari

Rotimi Fadeyi and Doosuur Iwambe

ustice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja yesterday granted bail to the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Olisa Metuh, in the sum Continued on Page 2>>

Senate backs Emefiele’s monetaary measures

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Lassa fever claims 63, spreads to 17 states –Minister P.4 Nigeria, UAE sign agreement on recovery of stolen funds

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PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Oilsa Metuh, at the Federal High Court, where he is standing trial over alleged N400m fraud, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

2016 budget: President sends corrected version to NASS

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We’ve reduced crime by 65% in Lagos –Ambode

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Metuh in handcuffs, gets N400m bail CONTINUED FROM Page 1

of N400 million, with two sureties in the sum of N200 million each. Metuh was escorted to the court in handcuffs in company of fierce-looking and armed prison wardens. Justice Okon, who delivered the ruling after hearing the bail application argued by Metuh’s counsel, ordered that the two sureties must own property in Maitama, Abuja. The judge also ruled that the sureties must produce the Certificates of Occupancy of the property, which must be verified by the Chief Registrar of the court and confirmed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. While ordering Metuh to deposit his travelling documents with the court pending the period of his trial, Justice Okon also ordered EFCC to verify the residences of the sureties, which must be in Abuja. The judge also ordered that Metuh should not be released from custody until he met the bail conditions. The court adjourned till January 25 for trial. EFCC in the charge alleged that Metuh, who was arraigned alongside a firm, Destra Investments Ltd., received N400 million, part of the money meant for the procurement of arms, from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in November 2014. The federal government had on Friday arraigned Metuh on a seven count charge bordering on mon-

L-R: Lagos State APC Chieftain, Prince Tajudeen Oluwa; former Deputy Governor, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, during the Second Quarterly Town Hall meeting to render account of stewardship of Governor Ambode’s administration, at the City Hall, yesterday.

ey laundering to the tune of N400 million received from the account of ONSA, being part of the funds meant for the purchase of arms to fight Boko Haram. Metuh pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him. The charge further reads: “That you Olisah Metuh and Destra Investment Limited on or about the 24th day of November, 2014, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the court took possession of N400 million only paid into Destra Investment Limited account with Diamond Bank

PLC, account number: 0040437573, from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser without contract award when you reasonably ought to know that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), then National Security Adviser (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 152(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable

under Section 15(3) of the same Act. “That you, Olisah Metuh and Destra Investment Limited, on or about the 24th day of November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the court took possession of N400 million only paid into Destra Investment Limited account with Diamond Bank Plc., account number: 0040437573 from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser, which you claimed to have received for political activities of the Peoples Democratic Party when you

reasonably ought to know that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), then National Security Adviser (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 152(2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act. “That you, Olisah Metuh and Destra Investment Limited, on or about the 24th day of November, 2014

eries. Also, it said NNPC should discontinue the OPA and product exchange deals and concentrate on direct refined product importation as a short measure and do away with unaccountable and discretionary retention of funds. Chairman of the committee, Zakari Mohammed, said the public hearing was not to witch-hunt anybody, but to ensure that Nigeria was not shortchanged, locally or

internationally. The Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, while declaring the investigative hearing open expressed the need to revitalise the oil sector. He said: “There is a cleavage between the public investments that has been made in the oil sector between 2010 to date. “The essence of this investigation is to expose abuses and losses to the Nigerian nation, with a view to revitalise the sector to make it more efficient and transparencydriven.”

$1bn lost to oil swap deal –NEITI CONTINUED FROM Page 1

that was swapped was $6.4bn, while the value of refined products returned to the country in exchange for the swapped crude was $6.3 billion. This singular transaction recorded a loss of $100 million. Further, it was stated that as the refineries continued to underperform, NNPC became unable to purchase imported fuel for cash as it had accumulated over $3 billion in debt to traders who supplied it with PMS and

DPK. And to keep sufficient amounts of products flowing into the country, NNPC relied on crude oilfor-product swap arrangements. NEITI said the transactions were not an efficient use of Nigeria’s oil, saying when compared to the total costs of these arrangements such as crude, processing fees, freight, demurrage, inspection and insurance with reported prices for PMS, DPK and AGO, large losses result.

It regretted that the swap arrangement as presently carried out records huge revenue loss to the nation that could have been channelled towards infrastructure development. NEITI recommended that the crude NNPC allocates to the refineries should be limited to their actual refining capacity, while the Federal Government, through an appropriate agency should develop an agenda for the privatisation of the refin-

in Abuja within the jurisdiction did retain the sum of N400 million only paid into Destra Investment Limited account with Diamond Bank Plc, account number: 0040437573 from the account of the Office of the National Security Adviser on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party for its campaign activities by concealing the said sum in your account with Diamond Bank Plc when you reasonably ought to know that the said fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity of Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), then National Security Adviser (to wit: criminal breach of trust and corruption) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 17(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended in 2012 and punishable under Section 17(b) of the same Act. “That you Olisah Metuh and Destra Investment Limited on or about the 24th day of November, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this court having reason to know that the aggregate sum of N400 million only paid into Destra Investment Limited Continued on Page 5>>

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L-R: Representative of Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency in West Africa, Mr Mehmet Yazgan; Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi; Leader of a Three-Man Turkish Delegation, Mr Yusuf Selcuk; another member of the delegation, Mr Ibrahim Yarimoglu, and NEMA officials, during the visit of the Turkish delegation to NEMA headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Coaches, The Voice Nigeria, Waje Iruobe; Innocent Idibia(2 Face); Director, M-Net, West Africa, Mrs Wangi - Mba Uzoukwu and another Coach, The Voice Nigeria, Mr. Timi Dakolo, during the press conference, to unveil The Voice Nigeria Judges in Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

L-R: Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Geneva, Maud De Boer-Buquicchio; Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Binta Bello, and another Special Rapporteur of the United Nations, Dainius Puras, during a visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Deputy Corps Marshal Operation, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Adie Abu; Corps Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi and Deputy Corps Marshal, Administration and Human Resources FRSC, Mr. Chidi Nwachukwu, during the FRSC End of Year Patrol Activities in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

National News Ubong Ukpong Abuja

he military, yesterday, issued ultimatum to vandals blowing up oil installations in the Niger Delta to immediately stop the act. Director of Defence Information, DDI, BrigGen. Rabe Abubakar, in a statement issued on behalf of Defence Headquarters, DHQ, said henceforth, the military would bring the full weight of the law to bear on any culprit. DHQ said it had observed with dismay the unpatriotic attacks on the nation’s economic lifeline in the region. The attacks, it said, were carried out by some criminal elements, bent on destroying the nation’s strategic assets, but vowed that it would no longer be tolerated. “The recent attacks on an oil facility in Delta State are a pointer to this direction.

Military issues ultimatum to oil installations vandals in N’Delta “For the avoidance of doubt, the DHQ warns these criminal elements to desist from these unwholesome acts of economic sabotage in the Niger Delta region for the overall benefits of the country.

“Consequently, any individual or group of persons, who engage in any act of sabotage to the nation’s strategic assets, will face the full weight of the law as the military and other security agencies will ensure total pro-

tection of such facilities wherever they are in line with our constitutional mandate. “The security of the strategic assets and any other facilities is a collective responsibilities of every patriotic and law

abiding citizen especially the locals close to such valuable infrastructure,” DHQ said. It urged citizens to cooperate with the military and other security agencies and report suspected individuals or groups for

prompt action. The DHQ said it would continue to maintain a peaceful environment for economic activities to thrive, while requesting law abiding citizens to go about their legitimate businesses.

Lassa fever claims 63, spreads to 17 states –Minister •Anxiety as doctor dies of strange illness in Osun Boladale Bamigbola and Aliuna Godwin

ederal Government said yesterday that Lassa fever has claimed 63 lives out of 212 suspected cases reported from 62 local government areas in 17 affected states. Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, confirmed this at the emergency National Council of Health

meeting in Abuja on the outbreak of the disease. Adewole listed the 17 affected states as Bauchi, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Oyo, Ondo, Edo, Plateau, Gombe, Nasarawa, Lagos, Delta, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Zamfara and Kogi as well as the FCT. He said there is high level of denial and conspiracy across some states, adding that health managers should not deceive execu-

tives by the pretence and silence. The minister described the denial of Ebonyi State to report five suspected cases and one death as conspiracy of denial. He said every state should consider itself at risk and put measures to contain and prevent the disease. Adewole said the Federal Government would maintain high level of alert all year round to celebrate

Lassa fever obituary next year. “With the resources available we will collectively eliminate the disease in Nigeria soon. “We have special facilities around us and we have adequate human resource to address the challenge. “We will strengthen the Primary Health Care Centres across the country to enhance the surveillance mechanism,” he said. The minister said 5,000 Primary Health Care cen-

tres would be activated before the end of 2016. “A committee had already been set up to map out health care centres across the country that would benefit from the programme. “At least one primary health care centre will be functional in a ward,” he said. In a related development, the minister announced that six most affected states will have Lassa fever diagnostic centres.

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2016 budget: President sends corrected version to NASS George Oji and Ubong Ukpong

resident Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded what he described as the corrected version of the 2016 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly for consideration. In two separate letters to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, the President regretted the confusion generated by the original document, which he presented before the joint session of the National Assembly on December 22, 2016. He also provided some explanations on what might have led to the confusion on the budget by members of the National Assembly. In the three paragraph letter sent to the Senate, the President wrote: “It will be recalled that on Tuesday 22nd December 2015, I presented my 2016 budget proposals to the joint sitting of the National Assembly. I submitted a draft bill accompanied by a schedule of details. “At the time of submission, we indicated that because the details had just been produced, we would have had to check to ensure that there were no errors in the detailed breakdown contained on the schedule. That has since been completed and I understand that the corrections have been submitted. “The National Assembly would therefore have the details as submitted on the 22nd and a copy containing the corrections submitted last week. It appears that this has led to some confusion. “In this regard, please find attached the corrected version. This is the version the National Assembly should work with as my 2016 budget estimates. The draft bill remains the same and there are no changes in any of the figures. “Please, accept, Mr. Senate President, the assurances of my highest regards.” Immediately after reading the letter, the Senate retired into an executive session to consider the content as well as receive the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN,

Godwin Emefiele, who was summoned by the lawmakers to throw insight into the dwindling value of the Naira and other economic issues. However, in the House of Representatives, the budget stirred serious controversy at plenary as opposition lawmakers asked that the new version be rejected based on its illegality. This was even as the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, did everything possible to defend the President, appealing to members to put partisanship aside to consider the re-presented budget in national interests. Once the Speaker had read the letter from the President, he proceeded to announce that copies of the corrected version would be made available to members preparatory to commencement of debate on the document. Rising on a constitutional point of order, Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, immediately sought to halt the process. Ogor cited Section 81 of the 1999 Constitution, Rule 97 (61) of the House, as well as Rule 84, emphasising that the President was acting in error and that his colleagues should not progress in that order. He said: “Mr. President in carrying out his constitutional responsibility has presented the 2016 appropriation bill to the National Assembly,” noting that the issue of amendment now resides with the House committee. He said a situation where amendment was now proposed, causing controversies was unnecessary since these amendments would also be accommodated during the budget defence by ministers. He said in order to avoid confusion, the National Assembly should abide by the provision of the constitution, even as he noted that already, there were now two different Appropriation Bills in circulation. The Speaker, however, while noting Ogor’s point of order, warned that communications from the President were not meant to be debated. Dogara defended that the President in his letter did not mention amendment but talked about correction, insisting that there

were technical differences between amendment and correction. “If the President has written to say that there are mistakes, which I know he is the only person that can correct, we rather work with a document that we are sure of, which I know only the President can cure it,” he said.

Another point of order raised by another PDP lawmaker, Linus Okorie, sought to invalidate the Speaker’s action in reading the letter. Okorie citing Order 8, Rule 43 and 44, said the Speaker breached the House Rules as he did not follow the order of business of the day in reading the

President’s communication. The message from the President was the fourth out of nine on the order paper for the day, but was only read after exhausting all the items and commencing considerations of bills. Okorie said this was clearly against the House rules.

But he was quickly ruled out of order by the Speaker, who said events had overtaken his submission. “In exercising our constitutionally given mandates, we should eschew partisanship,” the Speaker said, stressing that Nigerians were awaiting the passage of the budget as their livelihoods depended on it.

L-R: President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Engr Otis Anyaeji; Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi; President, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Kashim Ali; Minister of State for Solid Minerals, Hon Abubakar Bwari; President, Metallurgical Society of Nigeria (MSN), Prof Benjamin Adewuyi, during the minister’s meeting with stakeholders in engineering and mining professions in Abuja, yesterday.

Metuh in handcuffs, gets N400m bail CONTINUED FROM Page 2

Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress, APC government. In a statement, PDP’s National Secretary Prof. Adewale Oladipo, said the development “betrays an extra-judicial, top political witch-hunt policy of the APC, carefully designed to humiliate, embarrass and portray PDP leaders as common criminals and set the stage to cow and decimate opposition and perceived foes of the government.” Meanwhile, President Buhari has said that more persons who have abused public trust would be exposed and brought to justice soon. According to him, his government was committed to re-establishing former standards of accountability and probity in the management of public funds which were jettisoned under past administrations. Speaking at an interactive forum with members of the Nigerian Community in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the President assured that his ad-

ministration’s war against corruption would continue to be vigorously pursued. He appealed for more patience and understanding from Nigerians as his administration takes steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil prices. “In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil prices, there are a number of things we can really do to preserve our economy. “We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we should be spending our resources on real development projects, not luxuries,” he said.

The President also urged telecommunication companies operating in the country not to place their desire for huge profits above internal security. Buhari said the war against terrorism can only be won with collective effort and a commitment by all stakeholders to work in unison to halt the scourge. While stressing that the registration of all mobile phone users without exception would help security agencies to pre-empt terrorist attacks, the President said telecommunication companies must adhere to the rules and guidelines of the Nigerian Communica-

tions Commission, NCC, in this regard. Buhari assured the gathering that his administration would deal decisively with the seeming resurgence of oil theft, vandalisation of pipelines and insecurity in the Niger Delta. Declaring that the Nigerian Armed Forces had already dealt “deadly blows” on Boko Haram, the President said the activities of oil thieves and vandals would soon be brought to an end. “The oil thieves and abductors are a less problematic target. We will re-organise and deal with them,” he said.

Olubadan passes on at 100

here was anxiety in Ibadan yesterday as unconfirmed report has it that the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, has passed on. Our correspondent gathered that the monarch, who will be 101 years in April this year, died in his sleep at his Monatan, Ibadan palace. It was learnt that the

monarch’s remains have been taken to a morgue as at press time. While there has been no statement from the Oyo State Government on the demise of the royal father, it was learnt that the Olubadan-In-Council, will meet today after which a statement will be issued to confirm his death. Government spokesman, Yomi Layinka said

last night that the state government has not been briefed on the demise. One of his sons, Prof. Femi Lana, declined comments on the incident when contacted. His death came after the controversy that followed the promotion of nine high chiefs on January 1, an action that pitted the Olubadan-In-Council against the state government.

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CBN, NEXIM Bank partner to revamp non-oil sector Chidi Ugwu Abuja

orried by the current glut in the international market and dwindling revenue from Nigerian crude oil export, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and the Nigerian Export/Import Bank, NEXIM, yesterday formed partnership to devise strategies to revamp Nigeria’s non-oil exports. Speaking at a one-day conference organised by the CBN/NEXIM on Non-Oil Export Stimulation, CBN governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, noted that export as an essential component in the national income, has a very important role in supporting the nation’s economy against the backdrop of weak oil prices. Emefiele who was represented by the director, Development Finance Department, Dr. Mudasiru Olaitan, said the aim of the conference is to foster greater understanding of the issues constraining Nigeria’s non-oil exports and its sustainability with a view to proffering practical solutions on short and long term perspectives. He however noted that the low level of export loans has contributed to a large extent to the decline in nonoil export revenue receipts from US$10.53 billion in 2014 to US$4.39 billion in 2015, thereby impacting significantly on the country’s export growth potential. He said: “Let me assure you that the outcome of these stakeholders’ deliberations will assist the bank to formulate policies geared towards enhancing the growth of non-oil exports. It is expected that the resolution of this conference will lead to increase in foreign exchange receipts and job creation among others. “The bank is partnering with NEXIM in its new export financing initiatives, the Export Rediscounting and Refinancing Facility, RRF, and Non-oil Stimulation Facility, ESF.” Earlier in his remark, the managing director, NEXIM, Mr. Roberts Orya, said the conference was necessitated by the recurring problem of the volatility in the international oil market, which he said has challenged the Nigerian economy over the years.

Orya declared that the global oil price collapse which has affected every sphere of the economy has however provided another opportunity for Nigeria to redouble its efforts towards developing other key sectors and enhancing the country’s non-oil export revenues. “It is in the light of the foregoing that the CBN/ NEXIM have decided to convene this stakeholders’ conference to elicit views and inputs towards reviewing the existing strategies and increasing the flow of funds to the non-oil export sector, in addition to addressing other key challenges impacting the sector,” he said.

L-R: Chairman Reckitt Benkisser, Chief Olu Falomo; MD, RB West Africa, Mr. Rahul Murga and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, during a visit to Vice President at the State House, Abuja, yesterday.

Nigeria, UAE sign agreement on recovery of stolen funds

Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

igeria and the United Arab Emirates, UAE, yesterday in Abu Dhabi signed six agreements to enhance bilateral relations between them. According to a statement issued by the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the sign-

George Oji Abuja

enators rose from over two hours closed-door audience with the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele and members of the management team of the apex bank, and expressed satisfaction at the monetary measures being deployed by the governor to tackle the challenges of the nation’s economy. Emefiele was summoned by the Senate last Thursday to provide insight into reasons behind the dwindling value of the Naira as well as other monetary policies of the CBN. Spokesman of the Senate, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who spoke to newsmen after the closeddoor session with the CBN governor explained that the appearance of Emefiele was in line with sec-

ing of the agreements on trade, finance and judicial matters was witnessed by President Muhammadu Buhari and the Crown Prince of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, and the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs, Obaid Attayar, signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agree-

Persons, Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal Matters and Mutual Legal Assistance on Criminal and Commercial Matters, which include the recovery and repatriation of stolen wealth. At a reception after the signing of the agreements, Buhari reiterated his commitment to fighting corruption and restoring Nigeria’s dignity in the comity of nations.

The President also urged all Islamic countries to support the fight against terrorism in Nigeria and denounce the atrocities of Boko Haram as un-Islamic and against the teachings of the Holy Prophet. In his remark, Al Nahyan said the relationship between Nigeria and the UAE would be strengthened by Buhari’s visit and the signing of the agreements.

in the last one year, noting that his presentation began with current global economic conditions, which has been characterised by external shocks, including the sharp decline in commodity prices, the geo-political tensions along important global trading routes and tightening of monetary policy in the US.

The spokesman said the governor’s presentation also gave the senators insight into the bank’s analysis and understanding, stressing that the presentations showed that Nigeria is not doing badly in many macroeconomic indices, when compared with its peers. He stated that after the presentation by Emefiele, many of the senators asked

pertinent questions and raised issues concerning the health of the banking system, the stoppage of the sale of foreign exchange to the Bureaus De Change, gradual rise in inflation, fall in foreign exchange reserves, exclusion of some items from access to foreign exchange and policy coordination between the fiscal and monetary authorities.

consideration to renewable energy as the solution to its energy challenges. According to a statement by the corporation’s group general manager, group public affairs division, Ohi Alegbe, the minister, while speaking during an interview on the sidelines of the World Future Energy Summit currently holding

in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, acknowledged that crude oil and gas are exhaustible resources, noting that the way to make energy accessible to Nigerians in every nook and cranny of the country is the exploit of renewable energy sources. “We need to refocus a lot more effectively on alternative energy resources,

ment, while the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, signed the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Protection with the UAE Minister of State for Financial Affairs. Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and his counterpart in the UAE, Sultan Bin Saeed Albadi, signed the Judicial Agreements on Extradition, Transfer of Sentenced

Senate backs Emefiele’s monetary measures •Assures of brighter future tion 8 of the CBN Act, 2007, which requires that the governor of the apex bank provide to the National Assembly, periodic updates on the activities of the bank as well as the performance of the economy. Abdullahi said Emefiele provided a detailed, comprehensive and lucid account of the performance of the Nigerian economy

Nigeria to refocus on renewable energy –Kachikwu

Chidi Ugwu Abuja

inister of State for Petroleum Resources and group managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has emphasised the need for Nigeria to give serious

particularly solar energy. There is really no reason a country like Nigeria should not have more of its power supply from solar. President Muhammadu Buhari is very focused on this. This is something we are going to apply a lot more energy to in the days ahead,” Dr. Kachikwu stated.

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2016 budget will address poverty –Osinbajo Rotimi Fadeyi Abuja

ice President Yemi Osinbajo has said there are specific provisions in the 2016 budget proposals that would tackle poverty in the country. A statement issued yesterday by Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Laolu Akande, said Osinbajo

spoke during a courtesy visit by a delegation of Reckitt Benckiser West Africa led by its Chairman in Nigeria, Olu Falomo, and West Africa Managing Director, Rahul Murgai. He noted that the present administration was dealing with the issue of poverty, stressing that in a country where more than 110 million Nigerians are extremely poor, there would be health challenges, including

FRSC boss denies recruitment

…wants facebook impostors arrested Olufemi Adeosun Abuja

orps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Boboye Oyeyemi, yesterday said he has enlisted the help of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in tracking down unscrupulous persons who created a Facebook account in his name to defraud unsuspecting job seekers. Oyeyemi, who spoke in Abuja while unveiling the corps’ strategic measures to aid road safety this year, insisted that there was no vacancy in the commission for now, and warned job seekers to disregard any news to the contrary. While denying operating any Facebook account, he stated categorically that no recruitment was ongoing in the commission. The FRSC boss also said there was no going back on the April 1 deadline for the compulsory installation of speed limiters by all commercial drivers, insisting that any defaulter thereafter would be severely punished. Giving statistics of activities on the nation’s roads for 2015, he revealed that there were 398 road crashes involving 3,068 people, while 301 deaths were recorded. He put the number of injured people within the year under review at 1,560, adding that 23,460 were booked. According to the FRSC boss, some of the accidents recorded were due to private car owners who were neither accustomed to long travelling nor had good knowledge of the roads plied. “It should be noted that FRSC investigation of some

of the crashes indicated that private vehicles’ involvement were relatively higher in the list and several of them interviewed showed that some individuals hired drivers to drive them to their holiday destinations. “These drivers also showed signs that they were not familiar with the terrain they plied. This therefore brings out the benefit of route knowledge/familiarity and adequate planning prior to embarking on journeys.” While noting that the target of the corps for 2016 is to reduce Road Transport Crashes, RTC, by 15 per cent and fatality by 20 per cent respectively, Boboye added as a stop gap, he had ordered a training unit in the commission to begin training drivers, which service would be offered private and corporate organisations for a fee. On stratagems being put in place to ensure smooth traffic on Nigerian roads, Oyeyemi noted that FRSC will improve fleet operations and sustainable stakeholders’ consultation, collaborate with states on improved road safety administration; and improve on enforcement and public education. He said, “As we commence this year’s operations with renewed optimism, let me assure all Nigerians that FRSC remains committed to creating safer road environment and ensuring welfare of road users through improved service delivery. The corps worked assiduously in 2015 to bring down the rate of road traffic crashes nationwide by 13%, as road crashes reduced from 10,380 in 2014 to 9,031 in 2015. Similarly, deaths from road crashes reduced nationwide by 16% from 5,991 in 2014 to 5,044 deaths in 2015.”

having about 110,000 deaths yearly from diarrhea. According to him, there are six social protection programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for which funds have been allocated in the 2016 budget. Osinbajo said the programmes include Teach Nigeria, where 500,000 graduates would be employed as teachers; Youth Employment and Empowerment which would involve skills acquisition and vocational training for between 300,000-500,000 youths. According to him, an-

other programme is the Conditional Cash Transfer, where one million extremely poor Nigerians would receive N5,000 monthly this year as well as Homegrown School Feeding where one meal a day would be served to public primary school children across the country, While receiving the Reckitt Benckiser West Africa delegation, Osinbajo welcomed the Save The Children programme which the firm said was part of its corporate social responsibility designed to check the deaths of Nigerian children caused by diarrhea.

Osinbajo explained that a lot has to be done in the country to confront poverty and its impact on Nigerians. He, however, said the 2016 Budget proposals would deal with the overall problem of poverty. Osinbajo said for the first time in the nation’s history, about half a trillion naira was being provided for six social investment programmes. Earlier, Murgai said Reckitt Benckiser, which has been doing business in Nigeria for several decades, wants to ensure the people of Nigeria are healthier and happier. He said the company

was worried about the diarrhea deaths and had set aside about N1.2 billion to fight the situation in Nigeria. Also yesterday, Osinbajo received a delegation from the Twelve-Twelve Polo and Turf Club, Abuja led by Mallam Murtala Aliyu, the Club’s Advisory Board Chairman. While commending the efforts to set up such a club, Osinbajo urged the members to consider making polo, horse-racing and other equestrian sports open and available to young people who otherwise may not be able to afford playing in such expensive games.

Members of Democratic Progressives Movement on a rally Supporting Anti-Corruption Crusade of the Federal Government in Abuja yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

N3.1b alleged fraud: Suswam sold N6bn shares –Witness

Doosuur Iwambe Abuja

witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Bridget Shietu, yesterday told Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja how about N6 billion was raised through 10 million Benue State shares. Shietu, Managing Director of Benue State Investment and Property Limited who is also a Board member of the company, told the court that the shares were sold on the order of the former governor of the

state, Dr. Gabriel Suswam. Shietu said, “The governor advised that the shares should be consolidated for easy management. After consolidating the shares, N6 billion was raised after it was sold.” She added that the governor thereafter instructed that the sum of N1 billion be paid into a GTBank account from the proceeds. According to her, the shares were sold because the state government needed money to execute certain projects in the state. The case has been adjourned to February 15 for the continuation of trial. It would be recalled

that the court was told last Monday that the petition upon which Suswam was indicted for N3.1b alleged fraud was based on an anonymous petition. The witness, while testifying in the trial, informed the court that till date, the petitioner could not be located and that the address provided on the petition did not exist. Under cross-examination by Suswam’s lawyer, Mr. Joseph Daudu SAN, the witness also admitted that the email messages sent by EFCC to the petitioner through his email address provided on the petition were not delivered because the addresses did

not exist. He told Justice Mohammed that the EFCC attempted to invite the petitioner through the address provided on the petition for clarifications on the allegations contained in the petition but could not trace the petitioner up till now. The EFCC had put Suswam and the former Commissioner for Finance Okolobia Okpanachi on trial on the allegation that he sold shares belonging to Benue State Investment and Property Limited worth N9 billion without the consent of the State House of Assembly, and allegedly diverted the proceeds for personal use.

South West

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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N2.6bn theft: How fashion designer got N5.1bn from NIMASA ...I changed N479m to dollars —BDC operator WALE IGBINTADE

fashion designer, Chukwuemeka Benjamin Onuoha, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos how his company, Extreme Vertevex Limited, was used to siphon

over N546,802,000 million from the coffers of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, for a contract that was not awarded to him. Onuoha is the second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of a former Director-General

of NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi and six others over alleged theft of N2.6 billion belonging to NIMASA. Akpobolokemi was arraigned before Justice Ibrahim Buba along with three others – Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor

Juan – and three companies, namely Blockz and Stonz Limited, Kenzo Logistics Limited and AlKenzo Logistic Limited. In a 22-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, they were accused of converting a total of N2,658,957,666 between December 23, 2013 and May 28, 2015. The defen-

L-R: Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; Chairman, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Chief Isaac Akintade and a Director, Odu’a Investment Company Limited, Oyo State, Dr,(Mrs) Adepeju Esan, during the Odu’a Owner States Governors’ meeting, at Cocoa House, Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday.

N224m debt: Lagos decries NUPENG protest FRANCIS SUBERU

agos State government frowned at yesterday’s protest by members of Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, NUPENG, to demand the payment of N224 million purportedly owed them by the state government. The state government in a statement issued by Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, few hours after the demonstration said it would not succumb to an attempt by the group to blackmail the government into paying a questionable debt. The South-West wing of NUPENG had on Tuesday

KEMI OLAITAN IBADAN

ith the dwindling economic fortune across the nation, the five owner-state governors of Odu’a Investment Company Limited comprising Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states yesterday rose from a crucial meeting in Ibadan with a far-reach-

morning staged a peaceful protest at the State House, Alausa – Ikeja, demanding prompt payment of N224 million debt. The protesters led by the NUPENG Chairman in South-West, Comrade Tokunbo Korodo, could not be dispersed until they were attended to by Segun Olulade, member representing Epe 1 constituency in the state House of Assembly. According to Korodo, the N224 million debt was for the supply of diesel and kerosene to the state government to execute direct labour projects in Ojodu between October 2014 and May 2015. While reacting to the protest, the state government said though it was

not against peaceful protest by aggrieved citizens, it would not be stampeded into taking any action without following due process and rule of law. The government recalled that the said transaction took place between an independent marketer and the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, LSPWC, before the current government assumed office. Ayorinde said the company wrote the government about the transaction, and government replied that it wanted to investigate the claim. According to Ayorinde, “The investigation proved that the claim by the company was fraudulent but while investigation was

still ongoing, the company went to NUPENG, and the association agreed to demonstrate on behalf of the company. “Our position is that the Lagos State government cannot be stampeded or blackmailed into making payments that have not been verified for which investigation is still ongoing. “While government is not against peaceful protest by aggrieved citizens, we would like to urge Lagosians to go about their businesses peacefully. “No amount of blackmail will stop the government from strictly following due process and rule of law,” Ayorinde said.

dants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. At the resumed hearing of the matter yesterday, Onuoha told the court that the money was paid into his account with Zenith bank though he did not tender any proposal or carry out any contract for NIMASA. Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, Onuoha told the court that the disbursement of the money was facilitated by the 3rd defendant (Ekene Nwakuche) who was his secondary school mate. Onuoha stated that sometime in 2003 when the 3rd defendant secured employment with NIMASA, he (Onuoha) approached him and pleaded with him to remember him if there was any contract he could implement. He stated that shortly after he made the request, the 3rd defendant called him on phone to enquire if he had any registered company that could be used for transactions as well as the company’s accounts. Onuoha told the court that not long after his supplied details of his company and his bank account to the 3rd defendant, he received several alerts from his bank totaling N546,802,000 million. He told the court that on August 2014 he received N21,802,000; on November 6, 2014 he received the sum of N318 million; and on November 25, 2014 he received alert of N207 million into his account. He said when he enquired from the 3rd defendant what the money was for, he was told to await further instructions. Onuoha told the court that he was later instructed to transfer the

money to different accounts by the 3rd defendant. Under cross examination, by Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN, counsel to the first defendant, Onuoha told the court he had never met the first defendant, (Akpobolokemi) or received any instruction from him. Also testifying, a Bureau De Change operator, Hussein Sabo, said on March 2014 he was approached by one Muhammed Darlington who told him that the 2nd defendant (Captain Ezekiel Agaba) wanted to buy dollars. Sabo in his testimony said: ‘‘Darlington collected my account numbers and several millions of naira was paid into the account which I used to buy dollars.” Sabo also confirmed that on March 3, 2014, monies were paid into his account namely, N33,800,000; N35,000,000; N20,000,000 and N3,000,000 respectively. He also disclosed that between March and December 2014 he received through his account N85,305,000, N155,300,000, N13,000,000, N10,000,000 and N84,000,000 respectively. However, there was a mild drama in court when counsel to the 2nd defendant E. G. Onyeka sought to know if the witness (Sabo) could read and write either in Hausa or English languages. Sabo, who said he could not read, was asked how he wrote his statement tendered by EFCC and whether he was assured by the prosecution that he would not be charged to court for making the statement. Justice Buba, however, adjourned further hearing in the matter till February 2, 5, 16 and 19 respectively.

Odu’a Investment to engine room of S’West devt –Owner govs ing resolution to reposition the conglomerate “as the engine room of economic growth and development of the South-West.” The meeting that occurred inside the historic high-rise Cocoa House, specifically agreed in principle to admit Lagos State

as part of the Odu’a group to further strengthen the conglomerate, thus making it more buoyant financially and economically. Present at the meeting were Governor Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo)

as well as deputy governor Moses Adeyemo (Oyo) and his Ekiti counterpart, Dr. Olusola Kolapo. Others included the respective Secretary to the State Government and members of the Board of Odu’a Investment, and Group Managing Director, Mr. Adewale Raji.

A four-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and read to journalists by Governor Mimiko, said the owner governors had just approved a Five-year Strategic Plan (2015-2019) to grow the financial fortune and economy of the South West

zone from N4 billion to N20 billion by 2019. To actualise this dream, the governors decided they would henceforth meet with the Board and management of the conglomerate on quarterly basis to monitor development within the investment company.

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South West

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Synagogue: Court fixes date to argue substitution service MATTHEW IRINOYE

Sacked Staffs of Federal Inland Revenue Service in a protest of nonpayment of their entitlement at the Federal Industrial Court, Lagos, yesterday. PHOTO:ADEMOLA AKINLABI

We’ve reduced crime rate by 65% in Lagos —Ambode ... As CP reads riot act to criminals FR A N C I S S U B E R U

agos State gover nor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday said his gover nment has reduced crime rate by 65 per cent in four months as a result of massive investment in the state’s security infrastructure. Gover nor Ambode who stated this at the second quarterly town hall meeting with Lagosians, held at the City Hall, Lagos Island, said his gover nment invested heavily to reinvigorate the state’s security infrastructure to bring it to a level comparable to what obtains in other climes. He said: “In the last quarter, we invested massively to reenergise and reinvigorate the state security infrastructure to bring it to a level comparable to what obtains in other moder n city states. “I am happy to report that our state is a lot safer today as statistics show that the crime rate has reduced by 65 per cent during the last quarter compared to Year 2014.” The gover nor who highlighted major achievements recorded by his administra-

tion in the last quarter as the Lagos light up project, added that “crime thrives best in darkness. In response to this, we initiated the “Light Up Lagos” project to light up our major roads, highways and inner roads.” Dwelling on the menace constituted by hoodlums in the state, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said his command has decided to sanitise Lagos Island, saying there are people aiding and encouraging crime in that axis of the metropolis. According to him, hoodlums on the Lagos Island were in the habit of committing crimes after which they run into hiding in some of the houses in Lagos Island because of the ter rain, adding that it had since been discovered that abandoned vehicles scattered all over the place is where they hide their guns and other weapons. The commissioner said: “Where people are selling drinks, they sell Indian Hemp to these boys. When they came home after they might have destroyed cars on the roads, they run into the houses and their parents allow them. I witnessed it myself.

“When these miscreants were running home after committing offences, their parents would leave the gates open. When the police got there, they would shut the gates. Even on Monday, the same thing happened inside Omidundun. They saw me when I was coming just to talk to them on community partnership with the police. Almost everybody shut his doors.” He charged parents to be alive to their duties of ensuring that they always monitor the movement of their wards, lamenting that many parents unfortunately shirk their responsibility to their children who ordinarily should be their sheep, while they are

the shepherds. Owoseni said: “If somebody brought a bus and abandoned it in front of your house, why don’t you tell the person to take the bus away? We should take interest in what children do? Let us know when they come in and where they go to. Who do they associate with? I ar rested seven boys between Maryland and Ikeja. “They came in from Lagos Island. We arrested them on the suspicion that they might be cultists. They dressed anyhow. They had Indian hemps. They had hard drinks. They told me that they left Lagos Island going for a party in Ikeja at 1.00 a.m.”

he two contractors indicted in the collapse of the Synagogue Church’s guests’ house, Oladele Ogundele and Akinbola Fatiregun, yesterday challenged the legality of the court processes effected on them by the Lagos State government. It would be recalled that the presiding judge, Justice Lateef LawalAkapo, had, at the last hearing in December 2015, ordered that the Lagos State government serve the defendants through substituted means after several attempts to serve them was not successful. During yesterday’s hearing, counsels to the engineers, E. L. Akpofure (SAN) and Mrs. Akinlawon (SAN) filed an application, arguing that the prosecution erred in law by pasting the court’s processes at the entrance of the house of the defendants a day before the court’ hearing as against the three days stipulated by the law. Attempt by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Mrs. E.I. Alakija calling for the defendants to be arraigned proved abortive as the court directed the prosecution to file response to the defendants’ application. Justice Akapo, however, adjourned till January 27, 2016 for argument on the application challeng-

ing the legality of the service of the processes. The Coroner Inquest set up by Lagos State and presided over by Magistrate Oyetade Komolafe, had in its verdict of August 7, 2015 ruled that the Synagogue Church and its two engineers that constructed the building were essentially negligent in the fatal collapse of the six-storey building belonging to the church. The court particularly ordered that the Synagogue church be investigated and prosecuted by the relevant authorities for not possessing necessary building permit while the two engineers should be tried for criminal negligence. However, Prophet T.B. Joshua and the two embattled engineers subsequently filed a Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement suit before a Federal High Court, Lagos, against the Coroners Court, Lagos State government, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State and Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria, COREN. The suit which was meant to stop the arrest and prosecution of the church and the engineers was dismissed by the Federal High Court. Sequel to the dismissal of the suit by the Federal High Court judgment, the Lagos State government had filed111 count criminal charges against the trustees of the church and the two engineers.

Ekiti Assembly condemns army panel report over ‘hidden’ agenda ABIODUN NEJO ADO EKITI

kiti State House of Assembly has condemned the report of the Major Gen. Adeniyi Oyebadeled military panel over alleged hidden agenda to truncate democratic structure in the state. The Assembly said during its sitting presided over by Speaker Kolawole Oluwawole yesterday that it is curious that the military panel set up to review the activities of its men during the gover-

norship elections in Ekiti, Osun and Edo states respectively indicted only ar my personnel on assignment in Ekiti State. House Infor mation Committee chairman, Hon. Gboye g a Aribiso g an, who read out the resolutions of the Assembly’s plenary yesterday, said the Assembly was aware of alle ged “subter ranean moves of the All Pro g ressives Cong ress, APC, in its desperate bid to use the re por t which had been tainted with

bias and compromise to attempt a takeover of gover nment through the back door.” The Assembly described the “self-indictment of the ar my after it had been commended by both local and inter national observers as an embarrassment to Nigeria and the ar my as an institution.” It said: “We are also aware of moves by the APC-led Federal Gover nment to intimidate, muzzle and kill the voice of opposition el-

ements most especially the gover nor of Ekiti State because of his stand on national issues.” The Assembly, which said President Muhammadu Buhari should be held responsible if anything happens to the gover nor, added that the state lawmakers would resist any attempt by the APC-led Federal Gover nment to tr uncate the democracy in Ekiti State through an ar my re por t or any undemocratic process.

South East

Anti-graft war: Corrupt judges won’t be spared —AGF

ttorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Abubakar Malami, SAN, yesterday said judicial officers will not be spared in the anti-graft war of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. “Let no one be in doubt that the legitimate expectations of Nigerians shall be met. “In this regard, I am reiterating that the fight against corruption shall be total and will not exclude judicial officers,’’ he said in Lagos. Malami spoke at the launch of a report entitled, `Go Home and Sin No More; Corrupt Judges Escaping from Justice in Nigeria.’ The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 76page report is authored by a rights advocacy group -the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP. The minister was, however, represented by the Special Adviser on White Collar Crimes, Abiodun Aikhomu. He noted that systemic corruption and impunity had become prevalent in Nigeria in all the sectors, including judiciary. Malami said none of the judges removed for “acts unbecoming of judicial officers’’ on the recommendations of the National Judicial Commission, NJC, had been prosecuted so far. “As we may be aware, this administration promised Nigerians that it will promptly address the challenges facing our nation in the areas of corruption, economy and security. “After all, it is beyond doubt that a corrupt judge cannot meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption. “Acts of judicial impunity will also not be condoned so that our judges can be judicially accountable at all times in a corruption-free judiciary which is both independent and impartial. “All these shall be achieved together with partners like SERAP without violating the fundamental human rights of the persons involved and in line with the rule of law and international best practices,” he said. Malami promised that his office would ensure that every “appearance of corruption’’ in the judiciary is

dealt with through criminal prosecution and forfeiture of property to the state. Also, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, said there is need to further the cause of justice through a more transparent judicial system in the country. Atilade, who was represented by the Deputy Chief Registrar, Legal, Mrs Busola Okunuga, described corruption as an endemic malaise which had eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society. “The bar and the bench have a collective duty to ensure that the wheel of justice runs at all times smoothly. “A transparent judiciary not only attracts investors to the country, but also builds public confidence in the justice system,” she said. Earlier in his welcome address, Executive Director of SERAP, Adetokunbo Mumuni, said lack of accountability in the judiciary had impeded efforts to fight corruption at the highest level of government. Among other recommendations, Mumuni called on the Chief Justice of the Federation and NJC to urgently refer all cases of judicial corruption to the appropriate anti-corruption agencies. He said: “We want EFCC to proactively and robustly use their statutory powers to investigate and prosecute judicial corruption. “They should also request from the NJC files on cases of corrupt judges for prosecution. “The AGF should direct the Director of Public Prosecutions to examine critically the cases of corrupt judges that have so far been sanctioned by the NJC.” Mumuni said the list of indicted corrupt judges should be sent to the anticorruption agencies for appropriate action.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Arrest soldiers, policemen violating Okada ban —Enugu Speaker Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

peaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Edward Ubosi, yesterday drew the attention of the state government and Enugu people to the Okada (commercial motorcyclist) ban violations in the metropolis. The Speaker, who observed that policemen and soldiers were involved in the ban violations, called for

their immediate arrest. Welcoming members of the 6th Assembly to the 2016 legislative year, Ubosi frowned at the way some people had started riding motorcycles in Enugu metropolis despite the ban placed on such act in 2012. Ubosi, who lamented that the motorcycle riders had started snatching bags and cars in the metropolis, said the law enforcement agents were

the most culpable. While calling on the state government to ensure the ban was sustained, he wondered why the law enforcement agents who should maintain the law were the ones breaking the law. The speaker pointed out that the offenders operate mostly at night and expressed the fear that if not checked, it might lead to resurgence of crimes in the state.

“I want to call on the relevant authorities to arrest the offenders. The culpable offenders are mostly the military and police. They are starting gradually and before you know it, it will spread,” Ubosi noted. The Speaker therefore asked the House Committee on Capital Territory to inform relevant authorities to uphold the ban, to ensure security of the state.

L-R: Principal, Union Secondary School, Awkunanaw, Ven. Moses Ifeanyieze; Traditional Ruler of Ogui Nike Community, Igwe Tony Ojukwu, and Chief Supervising Principal, Enugu State Post Primary Schools Management Board, Chief Charles Maduekwe, during a Traditional Education Quiz Competition in Enugu yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Ugwuanyi tasks World Bank on agric projects Emmanuel Ezeh ENUGU

overnor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has appealed to the World Bank to complete the rehabilitation of irrigation system at Adani, Uzo-Uwani local

government area of the state under the FADAMA III project to enhance dry season rice farming for economic benefits. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, made the appeal yesterday when the bank and the Federal

Police, Enugu ministry partner against cultism

nugu State Police Command said it would partner with the state Ministry of Education to check the rising cases of cult activities among students in the area. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, PRO, Mr Ebere Amaraizu, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Enugu, that its continuous efforts to eliminate cult ac-

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tivities would focus on postprimary and tertiary institutions. Amaraizu said the command had segmented schools in order to carry out effective sensitisation on the need for students to shun cult activities and face their studies squarely. “The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is going to be a major programme

to be executed by the command this year. “We have started reaching out to the state Ministry of Education as well as school principals and various administrators of tertiary institutions in the state. “And we believe with continuous sensitisation, the menace of cultism would be reduced and even eliminated in the state,’’ he said.

Government team on supervision of FADAMA III project in the state paid him a courtesy call at Government House, Enugu. Ugwuanyi, while expressing his administration’s readiness to continue to partner World Bank and other related agencies, noted that Enugu as an agrarian state with vast arable land is fit for various types of agricultural produce. “The World Bank partnering with Enugu State in agriculture is a welcome development, more so when we are among the few states to be considered for additional financing of the FADAMA III project.” He said the state remained committed in its efforts towards the successful realisation of the

project through provision of enabling environment, consistent payment of state counterpart contributions and replication of same at the local government level. Earlier in an address, leader of the team, Mr. Obadiah Tohomdet, a senior communication specialist of World Bank, informed the governor that the members were in the state to supervise FADAMA III additional financing projects. He commended the governor for the support given to the project in the state, describing him as pro-agriculture and a global supporter of the sector. He added that farmers in the state were committed to agriculture and

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South South

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Wike orders payment of salary arrears for health workers Dennis Naku,

Port Harcourt

orkers of the Rivers State Emergency Medical Services now have cause to smile as Governor Nyesom Wike has ordered the immediate payment of their 14 months’ salary arrears. This came barely 24 hours after health workers, numbering over 200

staged a protest at the state-owned Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, BMSH, to press home their demands. But addressing the emergency medical service workers at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike assured them that his administration would clear the backlog of salaries. The governor who was represented by the chief

of staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Emeka Woke, said settling of outstanding salary arrears owed by the immediate past administration has been a major challenge which has been excellently tackled since Governor Wike assumed office on May 29, 2015. The governor explained that his administration has carefully managed resources of the state in a

manner that has allowed it to pay pension arrears of over seven months, civil servants’ salary arrears of four months, outstanding salaries of sports athletes and several other arrears inherited from the previous administration. He directed the state’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Theophilus Odagme, to work with the finance ministry to ensure that

the emergency workers are paid before the end of this month (January). He noted that under his leadership, no set of workers would be denied wages as was the case under the immediate past administration. In his remark, Dr. Odag-

We’ll continue to support Army –Rivers govt Dennis Naku,

Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike (second left)and his entourage at Etche and Ikwerre Local Government Areas during the flag-off of the reconstruction of the Igwurita-Chokocho-Etche Federal Highway, yesterday.

Okowa signs 2016 budget of N267bn into law

AMOUR UDEMUDE, ASABA

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has signed into law the 2016 budget of N267 billion which would be driven by internally-generated revenue, IGR. Signing the budget christened, ‘Budget of Renewed Hope and Inclusive Development.’ yesterday at the Government House, Governor Okowa lauded the legislators for its speedy passage which he said would translate into massive infrastructure development of the state before the commencement of the rains. “This budget that has been assented to in good time, gives us enough room to utilise the dry season in our infrastructure development plans and I must appreciate the Speaker and members of the Delta State House of Assembly for taking their time, during the festive season to truly work on the budget, ensuring that we had a very speedy pas-

sage of it. “With the bill that was signed into law, we have appropriated N153 billion as recurrent expenditure and N114 billion as capital expenditure and by God’s grace, we hope to work very strongly to generate the revenue to implement the budget in full. “It is our hope that the Board of Internal Revenue, DBIR, would exceed the target of N75 billion from the N40 billion that we had last year; I believe that it is achievable because we are going to block all loopholes and ensure that more people come into the tax net.” Okowa noted. While urging Deltans to pay their taxes, the governor assured that his government would do its best to be accountable and money collected from taxes ploughed back for the development of the state. Speaking earlier, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Monday Igbuya, accompanied by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Friday Osanebi, the Clerk of the House,

Mrs. Lyna Ochulor and other principal officers of the House, stated that the Assembly took time

off and did justice to the bill in line the current administration’s drive for good time and prosperity.

me assured the emergency health workers that he would always champion the course of their welfare. He said the health sector remains a top priority to Governor Wike despite the dwindling resources of the state.

ivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has assured the Army High Command that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support for the military to carry out its constitutional duty. Speaking yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted audience to the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division, Enugu, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Wike said his administration would always collaborate with the military to maintain peace and security in the state. He said maintenance of peace and security remains vital for the development of the state, pointing out that so far, the army has lived up to

expectations. Governor Wike, however, advised the army to avoid the influence of politicians as they discharge their duties in the area. He said: “In carrying out your activities, you should be careful so that politics does not come into it. “Rivers State is important to the economy of the nation. Therefore, the peace of this state is critical. This administration will never support anything that will make the state ungovernable.” Earlier, Major General Attahiru had said that his visit to the state was for operational reasons.

He commended Governor Wike for his support to the 2 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. He appealed to the governor to sustain his logistics support to the brigade.

CRUTECT staff protest insecurity in staff quarters Richard Ndoma, Calabar

taff of the Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH, Calabar, yesterday carried placards demonstrating over the insecurity on the campus, occasioned by encroachment into the university by the Efut people (host community). Spokesman of the Association of Residents of CRUTECH Staff Quarters, Mr. Ugoji Nwabueze, said members of staff were becoming apprehensive of negative consequences of the porous nature of the university. “The reason for this demonstration is to draw the attention of the management, governing council and state government to the high rate of insecu-

rity on the university campus. “The entire CRUTECH land has been sold and built upon. The implications are far-reaching. CRUTECH may be constrained to stop admitting students in future. “The university may also not expand beyond its present level in terms of infrastructure,” Nwabueze said. He maintained that the association had on several occasions received complaint from students of the institution who had been sexually molested by intruders while they were going about their legitimate studies on campus. He said what is happening oin the university is a high level of impunity, adding that as civilised people, they had no option

than to embark on the protest. Another aggrieved resident who spoke on the incident was Dr. Samuel Ntino who said the staff quarters lack potable water and need total rehabilitation, urging the management of the university to urgently provide basic social amenities in the quarters. The aggrieved residents later handed over the protest letter to the vice chancellor of the institution, Prof. Owan Enoh, for onward delivery to the governing council and the state governor. Prof. Enoh, while responding to the problem, acknowledged the complaints of the staff, and stressed that the management is fully aware of the insecurity situation caused by the encroachment.

He commended the protesters for their peaceful posture throughout the exercise, adding that he would deliver the letter to the appropriate quarters immediately. ``I can assure you that we will immediately begin the drilling of another borehole in the staff quarters and this will finish in this dry season. ``As for the rehabilitation of the quarters, you should give us some time to do that but surely we will rehabilitate the staff quarters this year,” he added. The vice chancellor said the encroachment into the university land is very worrisome and promised to persuade Governor Ben Ayade to come personally to see the damage being done to the university.

North

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

NIS in Taraba moves to stop illegal immigrants Justin Tyopuusu, Jalingo

s part of efforts to check illegal immigrants coming into Nigeria through land borders, Taraba State command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, has established nine new patrol bases to checkmate illegal immigrants coming into the country. State comptroller of NIS, Alhaji Habibu Adamu Haruna, stated this yesterday in Jalingo while reviewing the command’s activities in 2015. According to him, the command repatriated over 2,500 illegal immigrants in 2015. “The command established nine patrol bases in Jimlari, Mutun Biyu, Bali, Takum, Baissa,

Takum-Katsin-Ala, Takum-Mubi Toso, Takum Kashinbila and Nguroje aimed at checking the movement of illegal immigrants,” he said. Adamu noted that 1,373 illegal immigrants were arrested at different locations within the state during three major raids. According to him, 632 persons were intercepted by border corps from various patrol bases. He told the gathering that 40 voter cards and 16 national identity cards were equally impounded from non-Nigerians during the year under review. He called on the general public to always assist immigration with useful information that could lead to possible arrest of illegal immigrants.

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Benue, Aerotropolis sign MoU for cargo airport

enue State government and Aerotropolis Development Company Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, for the establishment of a cargo airport in Makurdi. The agreement which is part of the public-private-partnership of the Governor Samuel Ortom’s administration, followed series of meetings between the Benue State government and Aerotropolis Development Company. The MoU stipulates that the concessioning period would be 25 years at a cost

of N37.8 billion, while the Benue State government is to provide one thousand hectares of land in addition to N5.2bn as equity contribution, representing 15 per cent of the total cost of the project. Benue State’s AttorneyGeneral and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Michael Gusa, signed on behalf of the state government while the legal adviser to Aerotropolis Development Company, Barrister Comfort Chigbue, signed on behalf of the company. The state government team also had the chief

of staff to the governor, Hon. Terwase Orbunde, Commissioner for Works, Transport and Energy, Emmanuel Manger; Commissioner for Finance, David Olofu; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar; special adviser on lands, Prof. Jonathan Uever, special adviser on economic investment, Dr. Bem Melladu; special adviser on development cooperation, Dr. (Mrs.) Magdalene Dura and the principal private secretary to the governor, Mr. Stephen Amase.

On the side of Aerotropolis Development Company were Dr. Daniel Tarka, Dr. Steve Bassen, Dr. Aisha Lemu, Barrister Comfort Chigbue, Barrister Lara Adeoye and Mr. Ike Onazi. It will be recalled that Governor Ortom, while speaking recently on the planned Makurdi Airport, said when completed, the airport would add immense value to the economy of the state as it would open new frontiers of trade particularly export for the people of Benue and neighbouring states.

Tambuwal flags off programme to enrol 1.2m kids in schools

overnor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State yesterday flagged off an enrollment programme that seeks to admit 1,268,000 new pupils into primary and junior secondary schools across the state. The ambitious programme, flagged off in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state, seeks to enhance access for all eligible children to universal basic education and promote retention, completion and transition of students from basic and secondary levels to tertiary institutions in the state. Speaking at the event, Governor Tambuwal said government would strengthen the enrollment drive to ensure that it achieves its objectives. He said parents would be supported with a conditional cash transfer programmes by the government to ensure they allow their children attend classes. To ensure further success, the government said it would deploy technology for biometric data capture of those enrolled in order to keep track of their

school attendance and performance, and at the same time take steps to address constraints and challenges that may arise while they are in schools. In his remarks, UNICEF’s chief field officer in Sokoto State, Mohammad Mohiuddin, said the enrollment campaign could not have come at a better time, considering the fact that Sokoto has the highest number of primary school children that are out of school in the country most of who are girls. He however said the state is currently one of the five states in the North that is benefiting from UK and US governments’ funded Girls Education Project phase 3. In his remark, the state’s Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Muhammad Jabbi Kilgore, said the theme for the enrollment drive is ‘Catch them early, keep them long.’ He said the campaign would be aggressively conducted to massively register children with special focus on the girl child with a view to lay solid foundation on gender balance in schools.

Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State enrolling little Aishatu into Primary One, at Bodinga LGA of Sokoto State, yesterday.

Babangida Aliyu wasted N800bn in 8 years –APC Priscilla Dennis, Minna

iger State’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP-led government of former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu of wasting N800 billion that accrued from the Federation Account to the state in eight years. The state’s party chairman, Engr. Mohammed Imam Gawu, who stated this in Minna, while speaking with journalists at the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, NSIEC, headquarter, shortly after the issuance of certificate of return to newly elected local governments chairmen in the election conducted at the weekend, said there is no development in the state to show

that such money accrued to it. Apparently, reacting to claims by the opposition that the election was massively rigged by the ruling party, Gawu asked: “What projects have they done to think that they can stage a comeback?” He explained that under former Governor Aliyu’s government, only N400m was given to the education sector in eight years, even as the administration refused to pay its counterpart fund for the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, for three years - from 2013 to 2015. The chairman stated that with such a very poor record of performance in 16 years, the PDP as a party, had long become very unpopular and could no longer be voted into power. “The PDP has just be-

come the opposition. We have been in the opposition for the past 16 years. We know what it is to be in opposition. Opposition does not mean just making reckless statements. I give you a simple fact: N800 billion was received in Niger State. Where is the sign of N800 billion in the state? There is no water, no heath facilities and no development.” According to him, the PDP-led administration left behind lots of problems and debts, hence when the APC took over the mantle of leadership, it met an empty treasury as well as many uncompleted projects. He said when the people realised that there was light in the tunnel, they voted out the PDP for the APC to come in. He therefore thanked

the people for the confidence reposed on the ruling party. It would be recalled that the ruling party won in all the 24 local governments where elections held and the elected chairmen given their certificate of return by the state electoral umpire. Meanwhile, the state government said it has adopted a road map to ensure funds stolen from the state coffers are recovered and areas of leakages blocked. The state’s Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, who stated this in Minna, said the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello-led administration is also prepared to curb corruption in all ramifications and block areas of leakages for the overall development of the state.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Sani still battling APC’s suspension hammer

The senator representing Kaduna central zone at the National Assembly, Comrade Sheu Sani seems to be having sleepless nights as the Kaduna state chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC has suspended him for violating what was described as the rules of the party. The APC also accused the Comrade- senator of engaging in anti party activities. AZA MSUE in this report chronicled the crisis between Sani, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and the Kaduna APC leadership which led to Sani’s suspension

he days ahead may be tough for Senator Shehu Sani as his political party, All Progressives Congress, APC in Kaduna state where he hails from has declared him an ‘enemy’ as it alleged that he is engaging in anti -party activities. Senator Shehu Sani who is representing Kaduna Central zone and his group in APC have been battling the party leadership over what they called their marginalisation in the sharing of appointments. It all started like joke shortly after the inauguration of All Progressives Congress, APC, government at both national and state levels. However, watchers of political events in the state are expressing fear over Sani’s early fight with the party leadership which may affects him negatively in the days ahead especially in the build up to 2019 party’s primaries and general elections unless he and his group retrace their steps. They further opined that, Senator Sani and his group instead of embarking on early fight with the party, it will be better for them to join hands with the State governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai and President Muhammadu Buhari to implement the APC blueprints which brought them to power in the tense 2015 elections. On the other hand, Senator Sani’s supporters and admirers are praising him for criticizing Kaduna State Governor, Malam E l-rufai’s policies which included banning of streets begging, recovery of public lands in government schools and hospitals across the state shared among the elites by previous governments, just few among other numerous steps taken by Governor el-Rufai which the senator kicked against and described as anti peoples’ policies. But, checks revealed that, Senator Sani’s main reason for embarking on the political war within APC is due to alleged non-inclusion of his men in state appointments, though many politicians opined that, Senator Sani since inauguration at the National Assembly only picked his closest activists who worked under him as legislative aides and sidelined some of the people who worked for the party and his victory in the 2015 polls. Senator Sani explained reason behind his fight thus: “Nasir got about 1,600 votes in the primaries from the three senatorial zones. I got over 920 votes from one senatorial district. If I had contested the governorship, he could not have beaten me. “I contested the Senatorial election and won. And the two gubernatorial candidates all have their preferred senatorial candidates. Nasir had his own preferred senatorial candidate, who was the incumbent, General Sani, whom I removed” “Having won the primaries and general elections, we decided to say let’s work together for the success of the party. I won my senate elections before Nasir won his gubernatorial elections. After the

el-Rufai

But, checks revealed that, Senator Sani’s main reason for embarking on the political war within

APC is due to alleged non-inclusion of his men in state appointments, victory, Nasir set up a transition committee and put all the other senators, and even the senatorial candidate who lost the elections, without my name there. I had to draw his attention to that omission. As a sitting senator, there is no way a transition committee would be set up without my name there” He said it was an oversight and assured me that my name would be included. During his inauguration and swearing in, I was there. We went round during the campaigns. After

Sani he won, it came to the point of sharing positions, he asked me to send the list of my people for appointment, which I did. But he threw the list away and decided to allocate some Commissioners slots to the other senator representing zone 1 and from my zone, he gave it to the person I defeated in the primaries. Even my local government, no appointment, not even a councilor was considered” “So, what he was doing was simply gathering opposition and empowering people who are determined to fight me. He never knew that I am an old fighter. He said he is stubborn, but he cannot be more stubborn than a person who spent so many years in jail. I believe Nasir’s men came to the political scene in 1999, whereas I have been in the trenches even before anybody heard of Nasir’s name. You go back to Abacha and Babangida eras and see how we stood up against military dictatorship and tyranny. With all these appointments Nasir did, he had simply drawn a line” Although, with the Senator’s public lamentations, the state government and state APC machineries did not reply him due to reasons best known to them until when Senator Sani moved his verbal attack from the state to the national CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

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There should be no sacred cow in anti-corruption fight —Cleric

As of today, power supply

Dr Adesina Sanyaolu is the General Overseer, Chapel of Holiness Evangelical International. In this interview with journalists he speaks on President Muhammadu Buhari’s fight against corruption and other issues of national importance. ROBERTS AWOKUSE brings the excerpts: How would you assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in the last seven months? It is good that Buhari is making efforts to turn things round for better in Nigeria. In his speech and action, he has shown he wants a new order in Nigeria. His war against corruption is also laudable. But my observation is that the president is devoting too much energy and attention to corruption. Corruption is evil, it is good to fight the vice, but while doing so, he must also be working on how to deliver dividends of democracy to Nigerians. One of the reasons why Nigerians voted for him was because they believe he can make a difference in their lives. They looked up unto him as a messiah that will provide succor to their sufferings, but seven months after, Nigerians are still thirsting and yearning for dividends of democracy. Many Nigerians are having it rough, and they are hungry and angry. The president is doing a yeoman’s work, waging war against corruption, but he should also remember that while it is good and commendable that he is recovering looted public funds, he should also remember to think of how to make life comfortable especially for the common man. I will also like to advise the president that his war against corruption must be fair to all. He should not be seen to be partisan. There should be no sacred cow in the battle against corruption. Which other areas do you want him to focus on ? I will like Buhari to focus on power, healthcare and unemployment. Power is very essential and key to many aspects of our socio-economic lives. As of today, power supply is still erratic and epileptic. Solve power problem, you have solved more than half of the problems confronting Nigerians. When we have stable power supply, there will be economic boom and employment opportunities will increase. Federal government should give all the necessary support to the power sector. When you have a vibrant power sector, many industries lying comatose will be revived and job openings will be created.

is still erratic and epileptic.

Solve power

problem, you have solved more than half of the problems confronting

Nigerians. cut policy on unemployment. Some people have canvassed the need for reduction in cost of governance, what is your view? I fully support such an idea. We need to cut down on governance by reducing the number of political appointees. Salaries and allowances of public office holders should also be reduced. I believe if we can do this, no worker will be retrenched. Governors need not retrench workers, but on their own part, they should make some sacrifices like salary cuts for them and other political appointees working with them.

Sanyaolu On the issue of healthcare, it is very sad and disheartening that 55 years after independence, Nigeria still lack medical facilities to treat some life threatening ailments like cancer. Nigerians now have to travel to India and even Ghana for medical treatment. What a big shame. For a nation of over 170 million people, it is a big shame that our healthcare facilities are in shambles. What is painful is that it is not as if Nigeria doesn’t have the resources to put in place these facilities, after all we are an oil producing country, but greed on the part of our leaders will not allow them to do the right thing. Now that Buhari is in charge and everybody knew him to be a disciplined person, he should take the bull by the horn by ensuring that the ills pervading our health sector are addressed. Then on the issue of unemployment, we are sitting on a time bomb which can explode anytime. Buhari should urgently address the issue. Since it is now obvious that not everybody can do white collar jobs, loan facilities can be made available to make our youths self-employed. Government can also revive the agricultural sector. Youths and fresh graduates can be encouraged to take to farming. Buhari’s administration needs to evolve a clear-

Should clerics advise or speak out against evils in the society or just keep to their callings as ministers of God? Ministers of God are also watchdogs. There is nothing wrong for them to speak out against any corrupt and bad leadership. In the Biblical era, men of God like Jeremiah, Isaiah and Jonah all spoke out against evils in the society of their own era. A genuine man of God must stand on the side of the truth at all times. What is your message to Nigerians in this new year? Nigerians should brace up for more hardship. Things will get tough and tough early in the year, but as the year is gradually progressing, things will change for the better. 2016 is going to be a year of surprises and shock for many. It is going to be a year of divine reward and punishment for Nigerians. Again, as the war against corruption gains momentum, many prominent names that will shock Nigerians will be mentioned, but after the initial cloud, Nigeria will experience brightness. What is your word of advice to politicians and public office holders in the country? Public office holders should serve with the fear of God. They should see public office as an avenue to serve rather than to loot the nation’s treasury. Public office holders shouldn’t be self-centred.

2016: Group to mobilize for credible candidate as Ondo gov Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

ndo State Liberation Movement, OSLM has disclosed plans to mobilise people of the state towards ensuring the emergence of a credible person as the state governor in the 2016 election. Coordinator of the group, Mr Oladipo Ajidahun, said “the state is too endowed to be in the present precarious situation occasioned by wrong

choice of governor,” adding that it was time for Ondo State people to put their destinies in their hands.. Ajidahun told journalists in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital yesterday, that Ondo State people should not miss the opportunity to put things aright afforded by the forthcoming poll by electing into office “a reliable and credible person who can harness the resources of the state to positively impact on the people”. The group which advised against that zoning of the

governorship slot to any senatorial district to avoid producing incompetent person, said what should be of paramount importance now is “finding a formidable person who can bring about the desired transformation in the state”. Ajidahun appealed to the political class, intellectuals, workers, pressure groups market women associations, artisans and students to put sentiments apart and ensure that the next governor is someone with the dexter-

ity to address the needs of the state in view of experience and personality. “We need aggressive road network development to open up the state and attract investors. This will bring about industrialisation which will in turn address the employment needs of our people. “We need a governor that will build education to enhance the manpower development and as well transform the health sector holistically. The agriculture and industrial sectors in the state needs

the handling of a governor with the Midas’ touch,” he said. Ajidahun lamented that despite the huge revenues that accrued to the state in the last seven years and the borrowings embarked upon by the governor, the state has nothing to show for them. “Instead of building on the legacies of industrial development, healthcare development, educational improvement and infrastructures left behind by the administration of the late Governor Adekunle

Ajasin, subsequent administrations, particularly the present one in the state, have made a mess of everything. “This is why Ondo State people should see election of a governor that has the interest of the state and its people on mind as a project which concerns everybody. Self-seeking politicians are already aspiring to occupy the office, but it is our duty to ensure only a competent, reliable and trustworthy person gets there,” Ajidahun said.

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Ortom extends Olive branch to Tarzoor

Director-General, National Centre for Women Development, Lady Onyeka Onwenu (3rd-right), with members of the newly Inaugurated Committee on Multi-Technical Team for Collation of Sex Disaggregated Data on Involvement and participation of Nigerian women in politics from 1999-2015 in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Akwa Ibom Govt dismisses report on Emmanuel’s election T he Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed an online report which the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Udom Emmanuel. The government has therefore described the report as false, misleading and utterly mischievous. “Governor Emmanuel is a strong believer in the sanctity of the rule of law, and has absolute con-

Williams Attah GOMBE

he Federal Commissioner of the National Population Commission, NPC for Gombe State, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Magaji has attributed the increasing poverty in the country to the epileptic census exercise. The Federal Commissioner who was explaining why the scheduled National Census exercise for this year would not be held said the ten years periodic census exercise would have enabled Government to make adequate plans for its citizens. In a chat with newsmen yesterday, the Federal Commissioner stated that government loses strength in planning because of the delay in conducting the census exercise. According to him, “the

fidence in our judiciary, which had informed his decision to take his case to the Supreme Court after the ruling of the Appellate Court, where the massive victory the good people of Akwa Ibom State had given him last April 11 was nullified.

“The Supreme Court has not yet met to make a final determination on the case, and it is the height of mis-

chief and irresponsibility for any media platform to publish such falsehood. “We know there are no ethical boundaries that the people on the other side of the political divide and its media enablers would not cross, but politics should have some lines of decency and the institution of the judiciary as the hope of the common man should be respected and not dragged in the mud, just to score

cheap political points”, Akwa-Ibom government said. It further said that the Supreme Court has not yet met and no judgment therefore has been made. It urged members of the public to dismiss the said report describing it as an act of desperation by people who have little respect for our judiciary and the revered Justices of the Supreme Court.

Epileptic census causes poverty in Nigeria —NPC commissioner World standard for conducting a census exercise for countries is a maximum of ten years, but it has been very epileptic in Nigeria. This however depends on the interest the government puts on it, but in some developed countries, census is conducted after five years”. He said Nigeria’s census which was supposed to be conducted in the first quarter of 2016 has been postponed till next year due to lack of funding for the conduct of the exercise. The last exercise was conducted in March2006. He explained that Gombe State Office is being denied excellent discharge of its responsibilities by inadequate funding, staff and dearth of logistics and as such

called for the intervention of the NPC Headquarters, Abuja. He said inadequate funding was a serious obstacle for NPC in the discharge of its functions even when there was need for it to perform to expectation adding that, the Commission needed to have staff widely positioned to cover birth and death registration all over the state. He stated that there were arrangements for the next census to be conducted through biometrics saying this would make the exercise dynamic and in line with global best practices as this would enable every citizen to be captured. The Permanent Commissioner also hinted that it would commence

the registration of marriages and divorce in the state stressing that every couple would be issued certificates carrying their photographs. He said the commission will liaise with religious bodies that usually conducts marriages and issue certificates.

enue State Governor, Samuel Ortom yesterday extended an olive branch to Prince Terhemen Tarzoor, the defeated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP whose appeal was dismissed at the Supreme Court. Reacting to the judgment at the Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, Governor Ortom commended Prince Tarzoor for opting for the legal process rather than violence in the pursuit of his political convictions. The Governor had won the April 11, 2015 Governorship Polls on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and thereafter at both the Elections Tribunal and the Appeal Court He stated that now that the apex court had settled the political dispute, he has extended a hand of fellowship to Prince Tarzoor and invited him to join him and contribute his ideas and

those of his supporters towards the development of the state. “What Benue needs at this time is for all its sons and daughters to collectively tackle the challenges of ignorance and disease afflicting the state,” he stressed. He pledged his commitment to offering the people of the state dedicated service that would eradicate those three challenges. According to the Governor, the fact that he neither saw nor bribed any judge at all levels through which the case passed indicated that there was hope for people to get justice in the country. He expressed appreciation to both his legal team and some leaders of the Benue community who were in court and thereafter with him at the lodge for successfully defending the mandate of the Benue electorate and their consistent support.

Group lauds Nlemedim’s appointment as Imo AG E bere N dukwu

nnovative Elite Association of Agwa, IEAA, has lauded Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha on his recent appointment of its patron, Barrister Miletus Onukaogu Nlemedim, as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Imo State saying he remains the peoples’ governor. The group which stated this in a press statement made available to newsmen by its Publicity secretary, Retobi Nwoke, encouraged the governor to continue in his good leadership and

ensure he lifts Imo to a position that will makes it the envy of other states of the federation. While congratulating Nlemedim on his new position, Nwoke said that the appointment was an honour well deserved and a demonstration of Okorocha’s visionary leadership, adding that the state has got ‘a round peg in a round hole’ with Nlemedim’s appointment as the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state. Nwoke also congratulated Gerald T. Mgborokwu on his appointment as the transition chairman, Oguta Local Government Area.

We believe in protecting Nigerians interest —Akpan Olubunmi Omoogun

he Chairman Senate committee on Gas, Senator Albert Bassey Akpan has called on stakeholders in gas exploration to protect the interest of Nigerians. He said this in an interactive session at the senate committee room

on Tuesday. The Senator said “the fundamental reason for this meeting is to see how in the shortest possible time gas will be provided to power Nigeria’s economy and generate revenue for our dwindling economy”. The senate observed that if the laws are enforced and all applicable penalties are effected the

sector will enjoy more efficiency. “We believe in protecting the interest of Nigerians, that’s the position of the Senate” Senator Akpan said. In his remarks, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Imo West said everything depends on the regulator, if regulator is strong, the sector will be strong and viable. “.

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Sani still battling APC’s suspension hammer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

level when he allegedly declared that President Muhammadu Buhari’s war against corruption has political undertone. It was then that his party wrote him and invited him to appear before disciplinary committee for clarifications over what the party viewed as anti- party activities. Senator Sani, on the other hand did not honour the invitation describing the State APC leadership as illegal. After the senator’s failure to appear and explain his actions before the disciplinary committee, the Tudun Wada ward of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Kaduna State suspended him from the party. Senator Sani, who is a registered member of the party from the Tudun Wada ward got the suspension letter dated December 27, 2015 by the ward exco for a period of eleven months and the party said that henceforth the senator was disengaged from partaking in or attending party activities in Kaduna State. In the letter signed by the secretary of the ward, Ahmed Abdulhamid, the Public Relations Officer, Auwal Mai Anguwa and ex officio member, Aminu Alilan, the party listed Sani’s offences to include, uttering statements that allegedly violate the rules of engagement of the party, factionalising the party, and engaging in anti- party activities by criticizing the policies of Governor Nasir El- Rufai. The party said, “Hardly a week passes that his group will not be on air criticizing and challenging the enduring legacies of Malam Nasir el- Rufai, that his statement on national issues is not in conformity with that of the state government and government of Kaduna State.” The letter also said the senator has chosen to remain in constant confrontation with the government of Kaduna State. In his reaction, political aide to Senator Sani; Mr. Suleiman Ahmed, said it was clear that those who wrote the letter are ignorant of the laws guiding the APC. Ahmed said though it is clear from the letter that the people are out to stop the senator from voicing out his views about what he considers as the anti- people policies of the el-Rufai administration” In a move to bring peace, the National executive of the All Progressive Congress, APC called on the gladiators of the crisis brewing in its Kaduna State chapter to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign. Vice Chairman, North West Zone of the party, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir who held the stated reconciliatory meeting with the

Kaduna State APC leaders said they were not invited to the purported reconciliatory meeting but

North

West National Vice Chairman had chosen to

hold meeting with

Senator Sani’s group. Odigie-Oyegun aggrieved stakeholders of the party in the State challenged members for understanding and dialogue as a panacea for peace in the party. Inuwa however asserted that the right procedure was not followed in the suspension of Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, stressing that the national body of the party is in receipt of a letter from the Senator’s ward chairman who dissociate himself from the suspension. According to the zonal Chairman: “the meeting basically was to look at some challenges which are internal with party stakeholders in the state and find some lasting solutions to them.”, stressing that “ as a party, we encourage dialogue and understanding among members as a way forward. “We met and we have discussed and I am optimistic that better days awaits the party in the state” he said. Speaking on the meeting, former Chairman of the party in the state, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed who is the leader of the stakeholders that attended the meeting, said, there is no faction of the party in the state, but stressed the need for strict adherence to the ideology of the party which some of them stand for. “We are ready and willing to continue to participate in the search for peace, we are not a faction, we are loyal party members and willing to see our party deliver on its

promises. On his part, Senator Shehu Sani who also attended the meeting, said, “The national body has called for a ceasefire and we will observe it without any violation, the supremacy of the party is sacrosanct” he said. Meanwhile, Kaduna State Acting Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC,Alhaji Shuabu Idris, wrote the party’s national chairman, Chief John OdigieOyegun, to call North West National Vice Chairman, Inuwa Abdulkadir to order over his provocative statements against state officials. In a letter dated 12th January,2016,which was signed by State APC acting chairman, Alhaji Shuabu Idris, and addressed to APC national chairman , the Kaduna APC said the party’s North West Vice Chairman held a meeting with an illegal group and declared Senator Shehu Sani’s suspension done in line with the constitution of the party illegal and void. Kaduna State APC leaders said they were not invited to the purported reconciliatory meeting but North West National Vice Chairman had chosen to hold meeting with Senator Sani’s group. A copy of the Kaduna APC letter obtained reads in parts: “We are therefore baffled, because for one, the national vice chairman did not make contact with the party structure in the state, the highest leadership organ in the state that suspended Senator Shehu Sani. We were not aware of his visit nor were we invited to the so called reconciliatory meeting” “It is rather confusing for us that a national vice chairman would come to a state for an

official party function and will choose not to make contact with the state party secretariat. But would rather choose to organise an illegal meeting and make provocative statements against the state officials” The letter added: “It is even more worrying for us when we recall sad memories of the role the same Inuwa Abdulkadi played in the pre- presidential primary election of 2015,when he tried to change the list of delegates from Kaduna State in favour of a different presidential candidate rather than Buhari. This was after he had earlier on also unsuccessfully tried to influence the gubernatorial primaries using the same method against the current Governor, Malam Nasir El-rufai” So with a history of compromises, we are afraid that he is also now being compromised to once again favour an illegal group against the party” Otherwise why should he ignore the state party office altogether and organise his own meeting with illegal group” After the reaction of Kaduna APC’s that Senator Sani’s suspension stays, leadership of Kaduna State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC were summoned by Kaduna State Police Command over the suspension of Senator Shehu Sani. The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Salisu Tanko Wusono, who issued statement to that effect, said the party satisfied the police regarding Sani’s suspension. The statement said: “On Wednesday, we got invitation from the police following our reaffirmation of Senator Shehu Sani’s suspension after the so-called reconciliation he spearheaded. As leaders of a disciplined party and law abiding citizens, we honored the invitation and the police were satisfied with our presentation. “We told them that, the 11-month suspension stands and was done in line with the party’s constitution. There is no single individual no matter his or her status that is above the party. The 11-month suspension stands and it was done in accordance with our constitution and powers vested in the leadership.” APC said. Though, for Senator Sani and Kaduna APC fight to end, the national leadership of the party should as a matter of urgency embark on an all- inclusive reconciliation of the two warring parties and should avoid holding a one sided meeting which may not lead to an amicable resolution of the crisis.

NASS ‘ll pass law to cater for less privileged —Rep member Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

member of the House of Representatives representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency, Hon. Temitope Olatoye has said that the planned N5,000 monthly stipend for unemployed Nigerian youths is not enough to cater for the

Nigerian masses. The All Progressives Congress, APC lawmaker, who said this yesterday while speaking with journalists during courtesy visits to some media houses and private firms in Ibadan, however lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for coming out with the laudable gesture. He said in line with the

change agenda of the President Buhari-led APC administration, the National Assembly will soon pass a law to cater for all categories of less privileged people in the country. He linked the lingering security challenges in the country to the continued neglect of down-trodden masses, urging all Nigerians to join the President

in the efforts to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor in the country. The Chairman House Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, maintained that as the representatives of the people, members of the eighth National Assembly will through legislation, ensure that life becomes more meaningful for the

Nigerian masses irrespective of their economic status. Olatoye, who was accompanied by some members of the lower chamber visited the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Ibadan, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State, BCOS, Nigerian Brewery, Nigerian Eagle Flour Mill, Zartech Farm, Shoprite

and others to solicit their support for his “N50million 2016 Valentine Day project for people with disability.” According to him, over 5,000 physically challenged people from all the 33 local government areas of Oyo State would be hosted during the Valentine party that will take place at the BCOS Ground, Basorun, Ibadan

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Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Lagos and the ‘lagoon’ challenge RAHEEM OLUWAFUNMINIYI

o doubt, the 2015 general elections in Nigeria will remain one of the most discussed political events in many years to come. This is because a lot of surprises sprang up in its wake and thereafter. Nobody would forget in a hurry the telephone conversation between the two political heavyweights which saw the then President Goodluck Jonathan conceding defeat even before the last batch of results was declared. What of the magical numbers conjured under ‘special considerations’ in Rivers State and the mind-boggling votes amassed in Kano State? As if that was not enough, the largest political party, the PDP was almost swept out of the power equation, as it lost not only at the national level but at almost all levels of government. With that election, traditional PDP strongholds have become desolate homes today. The greatest achievement of the 2015 elections was most likely not in the use of card readers or the insistence by INEC, the electoral umpire to stick to electoral justice, but the maturity with which most political actors displayed in shaming detractors who had few years back predicted doom and gloom on the country. The year 2015 was supposed to mark the end of Nigeria, so they predicted, yet both the electorate and political actors surmounted our challenges and

conducted elections that have become a model for others to follow. It seems once again that while being confronted with doom, Nigeria can always rise to the occasion and shame the prophets of doom. The recent gubernatorial election in Lagos remains one of the most interesting of all, at least in the South West of the country. Apart from the fact that the state became the last battle ground for the PDP to swing votes to its side in the federal election, it also turned out to have almost been won for the first time since 1999 by the PDP, having fielded one of the most brilliant and least-tainted candidates in the person of Mr Jimi Agbaje. His campaign was rock solid and made a lot of common sense (apologies to Ben Murray Bruce), and would have dislodged the APC political machinery in the state except that a number of costly mistakes were made, which today the PDP in Lagos have not come to terms with. We were inundated few weeks into the Lagos gubernatorial election with a statement credited to the Oba of Lagos, where he allegedly vowed to throw into the lagoon anyone who opposed his favourite candidate. From the statement, it was obvious the Oba was threatening a particular dominant ethnic group in Lagos to steer clear of Lagos politics. Of course, one would expect a critical media backlash following such statement and the breakdown of good neighbour-

WOULD BE

RECALLED THAT BEFORE

INDEPENDENCE ,

L AGOS

POLITICS

WAS RULED AND CONTROLLED BY THE

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liness. The aftermath of this statement had led to a barrage of criticisms within and without, but would not be as serious as what would later occur. It is therefore, why if we do not want similar occurrence to happen in 2019 that may involve serious conflict, we must begin to discuss the ethnic question in Lagos. It is one that the political elite in Lagos must begin to study and find a quick solution to, else we fall victim of an impending ethnic crisis. What would have made the Oba of Lagos make such damning or if we like, threatening statement? Lots of reasons have been deduced over time, but it is most likely that the federal legislative elections a week before the gubernatorial election in Lagos had threw up the candidature of non-indigenes or settlers to represent local government areas like Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ojo and Amuwo-Odofin. This was not only shocking, to say the least, but appalling that non-indigenes

were stealthily but forcefully making inroads into the politics of Lagos, one which has been the exclusive reserve of indigenes or Yoruba settlers. The aftermath of that election quickly sent distressing signals to the indigenes and core Yoruba in the state. To make matters worse, the PDP candidate in Lagos, Jimi Agbaje had also warmed himself to the non-indigenes and alleged to have promised them heaven and earth if they gave him their electoral support. While many grumbled behind, the Oba of Lagos would not take such effrontery and came out openly to express his feelings, even though this appeared more as a form of fear of a take-over by non-indigenes of Lagos politics held by the core Yoruba. Following the Oba’s statement, Lagos became divided between antagonists and protagonists. However, the Oba, had unconsciously opened the Pandora’s Box, where latent primordial feelings that had been buried for quite a long time suddenly erupted. What does this mean? It would be recalled that before independence, Lagos politics was ruled and controlled by the NCNC party led by Nnamdi Azikiwe, an Igbo. In fact, there was a time when the Igbo held such powerful influence in Lagos politics that it was alleged that Azikiwe would have become the Premier of the Western Region. To be concluded Oluwafunminiyi wrote from Abuja via creativitysells@gmail.com

APC and the elusive change!

CHIEDU UCHE OKOYE

t is not unknown that national disunity caused by ethnic hatred existing among us and our past egregious military and civilian regimes are linked to our country’s underdevelopment. A country driven by disunity cannot attain great heights in the areas of technological and economic development. In some heterogeneous countries, ethnic disunity preceded civil wars. Ethnic hatred, which is at the root of our national disunity, caused the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War (1967 and 1970). Till now, the diverse ethnic groups that make up our country view one another with suspicion and hatred. It is unfortunate that past military and civilian leaders failed to entrench national cohesion. Such national bodies and organisations as the NYSC and unity schools have failed to achieve the goals for which they were set up. Our brief stay in places other than culture areas during our mandatory NYSC programme failed to disabuse our minds of ethnic prejudices and stereotypes about other ethnic groups. Sadly now, we are still slaves to ethnic sentiments. Not only did our leaders fail to entrench unity among us, which is a pre-requisite for national development, they couldn’t take Nigeria out of the technological and economic woods in spite of our abundant human and material resources. Leaders envision and imagine what they would like their countries to look like. It takes visionary and patriotic leaders to re-shape

A COUNTRY CANNOT RISE ABOVE THE DREAMS AND VISIONS OF ITS LEADERS a country and take it to a great height. A country cannot rise above the dreams and visions of its leaders. Since we achieved political sovereignty in 1960, our best politicians who possess probity and leadership qualities have not led Nigeria. In fact, until 1999 military regimes interspersed with civilian ones to run the affairs of Nigeria. It was the military that caused our economic stagnation and technological backwardness. In our chequered political annals, Dr Goodluck Jonathan has remained the first and only incumbent President to lose a presidential re-election bid. His acceptance of his electoral loss prevented Nigeria from sliding into a bloody political apocalypse. His vanquisher, President Muhammadu Buhari, rode to victory on the coattail of his probity, disdain for dishonest behaviour, and his campaign mantra of change. As he is a martinet for good behaviour, not a few Nigerians believe him to be the messiah that will salvage Nigeria from the cesspit of under-development. Days have morphed to weeks, weeks to months; but the change he promised to bring to us is long in coming. So, is he the messiah that will effect redemption in our country? Since he became our civilian President after making fu-

tile efforts to rule us in the past, nothing has changed in our country. Some states in the federation owe workers in their employ backlog of salaries. Workers in the employ of the federal government are threatened with sack, when the issue of youth unemployment hasn’t been holistically addressed. More so, the issue of insecurity of lives and property, insurgency, and crimes are still with us. Our media outlets are awash with sordid tales about triggerhappy policemen that trained their guns on defenceless citizens. Teenage female insurgents indoctrinated with the morbid philosophy of martyrdom do detonate bombs in public places with devastating effects. No countries are without crimes; however, our government should make efforts to guarantee the safety of our lives and property. We are not unaware that the absence of crimes and anarchic situation in a country will serve as a fillip to its developmental initiatives. But sustainable development can exist only in countries without political conflicts. Recently, a wave of ethnic chauvinism swept through the South-East, which is inhabited by the Igbo people. Their feelings of discontentment and the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the director of Radio Biafra, sparked off protests by Igbo youths, who are sympathetic to the idea of Biafra’s autonomy. Their protests, which paralyzed economic activities in the South-East for some days, caused loss of human lives and the destruction of properties. Unexpectedly, the Buhari adminis-

tration ignored court’s rulings and pronouncements regarding the cases of Nnamdi Kanu and Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd). So have we regressed to the era of draconian laws and autocratic rule? We practise federalism, whose features include the existence of the principle of separation of power, which makes for checks and balances and eradicates tyrannical rule in a country. But President Buhari’s sanctimoniousness, moral priggishness, and messianic complex are reasons why he has failed to abide by democratic ethos. Is it appropriate for him to set aside and side-step the constitutional provisions and norms in his quest to rid Nigeria of corruption and keep the country from disintegrating? Nations are built on their leaders’ adherence to their constitutions. It makes the citizens repose trust and confidence in the government. And it obviates the citizens’ desire to seek recourse to self help actions and protests since they’re not in doubt that their rights and liberties are guaranteed in the country. We are still waiting for Buhari’s miracle and the change he promised to effect among us. Okoye, a poet and civil servant, wrote from Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State. Send your views by mail or sms to PMB 10001, Ikoyi, or our Email: mail@ nationalmirroronline.net mirrorlagos@ yahoo.com or 08164966858 (SMS only). The Editor reserves the right to edit and reject views or photographs. Pseudonyms may be used but must be

Editorial

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

All the Facts, All the Sides A PUBLICATION OF GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LTD BARRISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM, CFR PUBLISHER

SUNDAY OLAJIDE MANAGING DIRECTOR/CEO BEN MEMULETIWON ACTING DAILY EDITOR GBEMI OLUJOBI SATURDAY EDITOR AYO OLESIN SUNDAY EDITOR DOZIE OKEBALAMA COORDINATOR, EDITORIAL BOARD CALLISTUS OKE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR OBIORA IFOH ABUJA BUREAU CHIEF

N25bn Employment Trust Fund for Lagos

overnor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State, in fulfilment of one of his campaign promises during the 2015 electioneering, recently signed into law the N25 billion Employment Trust Fund (ETF) bill aimed at easing the high rate of unemployment in the state. The governor had in November 2015, sent the bill to the State House of Assembly for approval. That the bill speedily scaled through the rigours of the lawmakers’ scrutiny and was signed to law in less than three months, seem a testimony on how dear addressing the challenge posed by biting unemployment and poverty in the country is to the current Lagos State government. Mr. Ambode said during the signing ceremony that over the next four years, the state government would be injecting N6.25 billion into the fund to bring the total sum to N25 billion by 2019.

Reports said the ETF would be administered as soft loans to Lagos residents in need of financial bail-out ranging from N100, 000 to N1 million or more. The Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, which the Ambode government created last June, would superintend the scheme, while the ETF would be channelled through micro-finance institutions across the state. Beneficiaries would be selected from across the five divisions in the state, namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, to enable citizens from all parts of the state benefit from the scheme. A generous interest of one per-

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, STRICT OVERSIGHT AND MONITORING SHOULD BE THE PARAMETERS FOR ADMINISTERING THE FUNDS cent would be charged on the loan to take care of administrative expenses. Following the signing of the said bill to law, the governor quickly appointed former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru, as head of the Board of Trustees for the N25 billion ETF; and Mr. Akintunde Oyebode as the Executive Secretary. A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Habib Aruna, said Mr. Dele Martins; Mrs. Bilikis AdebiyiAbiola; Mr. Otto Orondaam; Mrs. Olufunmi Olatunde Daudu; Mr. Tunde Bank-Anthony; Mr. Michael Popoola Ajayi; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mr. Tunde Durosinmi-Etti; and the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Mustapha Akinkunmi, were the other members of the board. It may well be said that all is now set for the kick off of the

ETF, which to some extent may be viewed as a mini-version of the short-lived Peoples Bank of Nigeria (PBN), which the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida established in 1989, but was abruptly rested in 2000, when the Federal Government merged the PBN with the Nigerian Agricultural Co-operative Bank. The PBN, we recall, served as a nonconventional bank that provided retail banking services and loans to the less privileged, who could not cope with the strict conditions and collateral demands of conventional banks for the opening of new accounts and providing credit facilities. As it was during the PBN days, when poverty and unemployment were ravaging the country, coupled with the grinding austerity regime of the Babangida era, while conventional banks revelled in corruption and denied the real sector much needed liberal loan facilities, so it is now that the Lagos ETF is debuting. Our thinking, therefore, is that the Lagos State government deserves commendation for factoring in the pains and sufferings of the unemployed and the economically disadvantaged so early into the life of the Ambode administration. There is,

ON THIS DAY

indeed, no disputing the fact that the problem of unemployment is more daunting in Lagos, the nation’s former capital and yet unchallenged commercial nerve centre; a sprawling mega city that has remained a victim of unrestrained influx of unemployed school leavers from all corners of the country, in addition to its over 20 million officially recognized residents. Still, it is one thing to bloom with a bright idea like the ETF and yet another to seamlessly put it to work and make it a huge success at the end of it all. Muddled or corrupt implementation of otherwise excellent public policies has always been the bane of governance in the country. Our hope is that the Lagos ETF would not be overwhelmed by the same cankerworm. Transparency and accountability, strict oversight and monitoring should be the parameters for administering the funds; and merit, serious vocation and commitment to the payment of the token one percent interest on EFT loans the criteria for the selection of qualified beneficiaries. The Lagos ETF risks still-birth if career politicians and other wolves are given the leeway to hijack the initiative for political patronage and other less noble motives.

January 20, 1991

January 20, 2007

January 20, 2009

Sudan’s government imposed the Islamic Sharia nationwide, which worsened the civil war between the country’s Muslim north and Christian south. Sharia means ‘law’ and is used in particular to refer to the divine law as established in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Sharia deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics and economics; as well as personal matters like prayer, sex, hygiene, etc.

A three-man team, using only skis and kites, completed a 1,093-mile (1,759 km) trek to reach the southern pole of inaccessibility for the first time since 1958; and for the first time ever without mechanical assistance. ‘Pole of inaccessibility’ marks a location that is the most challenging to reach owing to its remoteness from geographical features that could provide access. It refers to the most distant point from the coastline.

A protest movement in Iceland ignited the 2009 Icelandic financial crisis’ protests. The 2009–2011 Icelandic financial crisis protests, also referred to as the Kitchenware/Kitchen Implement Revolution or Icelandic Revolution occurred in the wake of the Icelandic financial crisis. There had been sporadic protests from October 2008 against Iceland government’s handling of the financial crisis.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing Facts you should know about Lassa fever

WHO approves 3rd Cholera vaccine producer

Sam Eferaro

publication, Avoiding Heart Attacks and Strokes Don’t be a victim – Protect yourself produced by WHO, World Self Medication Industry (WSMI), World Heart Federation (WHF), and International Stroke Society (ISS) has identified Heart Attacks and Strokes as the major Cardiovascular diseases – diseases of the heart and the blood vessels – which kill and more people around the world, irrespective of their status. In 2016, these are the conditions to watch, along with the CVD risk factors, to maintain a healthy heart.

Heart conditions to watch in 2016

Heart attack The human heart is only the size of a fist, but it is the strongest muscle in the body. With every heartbeat, the heart pumps blood, carrying oxygen and nutrients, to all parts of the body. The heart beats about 70 times a minute in a person at rest. The heart rate increases when we are active or when we feel strong emotions. The heart itself gets oxygen and nutrients through blood vessels called the coronary arteries. When the blood flow to the heart is cut off, the decrease in the supply of oxygen and nutrients can cause lasting damage to this vital organ. When the blockage is sudden, it is called a heart attack. If the blockage is only partial and the blood flow to the heart is decreased, it can cause chest pain called angina. It may not cause lasting damage to the heart muscle, but it is a warning sign that a person could develop a major heart attack.

Stroke The brain can only function if blood is fl owing through it. Two large blood vessels, which run along either side of the neck, bring blood from the heart to the brain. The blood vessels branch off and get smaller and smaller, until tiny blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to all parts of the brain. A stroke happens in the same way as a heart attack, but takes place in the brain. If the blood flow to the brain is interrupted, the brain loses its supply of oxygen and nutrients. This causes the damage to the brain tissue known as a stroke. Also, a stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or when the blood flow to the brain is blocked, the brain tissue is damaged.

Prevention Nearly two-thirds of people who have a heart attack die before they can reach medical care. Even when stroke patients have access to modern, advanced treatment, 60% die or become disabled. So it is important to know the warning signs and to act fast. But it is even better to prevent a heart attack or stroke from ever happening. Prevention is always better than treatment, and most heart attacks and strokes can be prevented. Research shows that a number of things make us more likely to have

... Lassa fever too

F Heart attack, a major condition to watch

a heart attack or stroke. These are called risk factors. Some risk factors are linked to choices we make in the way we live. The three most important lifestyle factors are: • smoking and other tobacco use; • unhealthy diet; and • lack of physical activity. Poor lifestyle choices can lead to three serious physical problems: • high blood pressure (hypertension); • high blood sugar (diabetes); • high blood fats (hyperlipidaemia). These are the most important risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Unhealthy diet An unhealthy diet is one with: • too much food (too many calories); • too much fat, sugar or salt; • not enough fruit and vegetables. If you eat a lot of food and you are not active enough to burn it off, you will put on weight. You could slowly become overweight or even obese. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood fat levels. All of these physical problems increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Obese people are at especially high risk if they have a lot of fat around the waist and stomach area. An unhealthy diet often contains too much “fast food”, which is high in fat and sugar, and sugar-loaded soft drinks. Fast food is also very high in salt, which increases blood pressure.

Lack of physical activity When people do not stay active, their risk of heart attack and stroke increases greatly. Physical activity lowers your risk

of heart attacks and strokes by: • helping your body burn sugars and fats and assisting in keeping a good weight; • lowering your blood pressure; • increasing oxygen levels in your body; • reducing stress; • strengthening your heart muscle and bones; • improving blood circulation and muscle tone. Staying active also reduces the risk of other illnesses, such as cancer. Active people usually feel better and happier. They are likely to sleep better and to have more energy, self-confi dence, and concentration. You do not have to be in training for the Olympics to get these benefi ts! Walking, gardening, or doing housework for at least 30 minutes on most days can help you prevent heart attacks and strokes.

High blood pressure (hypertension) Blood pressure is the force with which the blood pushes against the walls of arteries. If blood pressure is high, the heart is working harder than it should. Over time, this will cause it to weaken. High blood pressure is one of the major risk factors for heart attacks. It is the biggest risk factor for strokes. To avoid high blood pressure, you need to stay active, maintain a healthy body weight, and eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet includes lots of fruits and vegetables. Limit the amount of salt in your diet, and do not drink too much alcohol. If you make all of these changes to your lifestyle, but you still cannot lower your blood pressure, there are medicines that can help.

or Nigerians, Lassa fever undoubtedly remains the number one disease to watch. Officially, the disease has claimed 43 lives in ten states of the Federation with several others under surveillance. The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans become infected from contact with infected animals. It is spread by exposure to and eating of foods contaminated with rat dropping or urine. It is also spread by direct contact with the blood, urine, faces or other bodily secretions of person with Lassa fever. The Mastomys rat has been identified as the reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus. On its own, according to the experts, the mastomys rodents, when infected with Lassa virus, do not become ill, but they can shed the virus in their excreta (urine and faeces) which can be dangerous when it is done on foods and drinks for humans. They must therefore be kept far away from homes and communities for individuals to avoid contacting Lassa fever. Lassa fever is a deadly disease which must not be treated at home. Here are the signs to watch: The onset of the disease is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise. After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal may follow. Severe cases may progress to show facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract, and low blood pressure. Any of these signs should compel an individual to seek treatment. In Lagos, members of the public and health workers have been advised to report any case or symptoms of persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health facility or call the following lines:, 08037170614, 08022234273, 08022241768 08033065303, 08033086660, 08055281442 and 08023169485.

Health & Wellbeing

Nutrition for Health

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health hazards associated with artificial sweeteners

diovascular disease have heightened conabout the adverse Chizoba Benson cerns effects of excessive consumption of sugars”. chizobanwobu@yahoo.com 08120807588 (sms only) Excessive consumption of sugars has therertificial sweeteners are fore, been linked with several natural sugar substimetabolic abnormalities and tute that are added in adverse health conditions, as foods, drinks or ingredients to well as shortfalls of essential make up for the sugar that was nutrients. removed. Today, these artificial Aspartame, which is one of sweeteners and other sugar the commonly known artifisubstitutes in foods and bevercial sweeteners for instance, ages are marketed as “sugarwhen exposed to heat, releases free” or “diet,” including soft methanol which is converted drinks, sodas, diary products, to formaldehyde in the body, ice cream, yogurt, chewing when in excess amounts can gum, baked foods, biscuits, cause blindness, neurological some drugs, toothpaste, canned foods, candy/sweets, fruit juice, problems, migraine, depression, brain cancer, chest pains, beverages, and so on. So many people erroneously nausea, abdominal pain, fabelieve that as long as you are tigue, etc. Another artificial drinking fruit juice, or “diet” sweetener sucralose (splenda), sodas, it’s a healthy choice but a chlorinated artificial sweetthis is a misleading belief that ener, in a study, showed that, encourages the rising rates sucralose (splenda) reduced of weight gain, obesity, high the amount of good bacteria blood pressure, type 2 diabe- in the intestines by 50 pertes and fatty liver disease. In cent; increased the pH level in 2009, the American Heart As- the intestines; contributed to sociation (AHA) issued a sci- increase in body weight and entific statement about sugar affected P-glycoprotein levintake and heart health, point- els in such a way that crucial ing out that there is evidence health-related drugs could be for a relationship between the rejected. People who use sutwo. According to the abstract: cralose (splenda) experience “High intake of dietary sugars depression, anxiety, joint pain, in the setting of a worldwide blurry vision, frequent need to pandemic of obesity and car- urinate at night, weight gain,

increased blood sugar, etc. Saccharin sodium is a type of artificial sweetener that is sweeter than sucrose but has a bitter aftertaste. Saccharin sodium is often used to sweeten soft drinks, candy, biscuits, some drugs and toothpaste. Its side effects are allergic reactions, may increase weight gain, decreases insulin sensitivity, increase one’s risk for developing diabetes, diarrhea and skin problems. Early safety studies of saccharin showed that the sweetener caused bladder cancer in rats. The US Food and Drugs Administration lifted the requirement that saccharin be labeled as a probable carcinogen on food packaging. Natural sweeteners such as honey and

agave may seem like a healthier choice, but not only are they loaded with fructose, most are also highly processed. The health effects will be the same, since it’s the fructose that causes the harm. But if honey is seen in its natural form, it is advisable to use moderately. Consequently, people have taken “diet” sodas as the best option that consumption would help them loose weight. Drinking sodas are bad for your health in so many ways from increase in insulin levels to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and even overweight. . Sodas are made up of phosphoric acid, which can hinder the body’s ability to use calcium which could lead to osteoporosis. Sugar, increases the insu-

lin levels, leading to heart diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging , etc. Aspartame is usually used as sugar substitute in diet sodas. The various side effects of aspartame are mentioned above. Tap water is another ingredient used. It may contain chlorine, lead, cadmium, and various organic pollutants which is not healthy for the body. Sodas also contain caffeine, which may cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, elevated blood cholesterol levels, vitamin and mineral depletion, birth defects, and others. Studies have shown that sodas cause DNA damage because of the of sodium benzoate, a common preservative found in many sodas and soft drinks, which has the ability to switch off vital parts of the DNA leading to cirrhosis of the liver and Parkinson’s disease. It is vital therefore, to drink more pure water or switch to natural sweeteners like stevia, Lo Han or chicory root which are two of the best sugar substitutes gotten from the plant kingdom.

SCIENCE

Compiled by Franka Osakwe

Researchers kill drug-resistant lung cancer with 50 times less chemo

he cancer drug paclitaxel just got more effective. For the first time, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have packaged it in containers derived from a patient’s own immune system, protecting the drug from being destroyed by the body’s own defenses and bringing the entire payload to the tumor. “That means we can use 50 times less of the drug and still get the same results,” said Elena Batrakova, Ph.D., an associate professor in the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. “That matters because we may eventually be able to treat patients with smaller and more accurate doses of powerful chemotherapy drugs resulting

in more effective treatment with fewer and milder side effects.” The work, led by Batrakova and her colleagues at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy’s Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, is based on exosomes, which are tiny spheres harvested from the white blood cells that protect the body against infection. The exosomes are made of the same material as cell membranes, and the patient’s body doesn’t recognize them as foreign, which has been one of the toughest issues to overcome in the past decade with using plastics-based nanoparticles as drug-delivery systems.

Cause of heart failure in pregnant women identified

ach year approximately 1 in 1,000 pregnant women will experience peripartum cardiomyopathy, an uncommon form of often severe heart failure that occurs in the fi-

nal month of pregnancy or up to five months following delivery. But the cause of peripartum cardiomyopathy has been largely unknown -until now. Researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania analyzed the genetic variants that have been associated with another form of inherited cardiomyopathy, and determined that peripartum cardiomyopathy is often the result of a genetic mutation. The findings of this study are detailed in this

week’s New England Journal of Medicine. Researchers analyzed 43 genes in 172 women who experienced peripartum cardiomyopathy, and found that 15 percent of the group had genetic mutations, usually in their TTN gene, which encodes the instructions for making the Titin protein. This protein--named after the Greek gods, Titans--is the largest protein in the body and directly affects the heart’s ability to contract and relax.

Music therapy increases effectiveness of pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD patients

atients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and other chronic respiratory disorders who received music therapy in conjunction with standard rehabilitation saw

an improvement in symptoms, psychological well-being and quality of life compared to patients receiving rehabilitation alone, according to a new study by researchers at The Louis Armstrong Center of Music

and Medicine at Mount Sinai Beth Israel (MSBI). Study findings were published this week in Respiratory Medicine and suggest that music therapy may be an effective addition to traditional treatment.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States with symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing, an ongoing cough, frequent colds or flu, and chest tightness.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

WHO approves 3rd Cholera vaccine producer

he global supply of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) is set to double following the approval of a third producer by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to help address global shortages and expand access in more countries. Globally, OCV production is low, with demands currently exceeding supply. Sudan and Haiti last year made requests to WHO for supplies of vaccines to conduct pre-emptive vaccination campaigns that could not be filled because of the global shortage. The vaccine producer, a South Korean company, is the latest oral cholera vaccine (OCV) manufacturer to be approved under the WHO’s pre-qualification programme, which ensures that drugs and vaccines bought by countries and international

procurement agencies such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) meet acceptable standards of quality, safety and efficacy. The addition of an additional pre-qualified vaccine producer is expected to double global supply to 6 million doses for 2016, with the potential for further increased production in the future. This additional capacity will contribute to reversing a vicious cycle of low demand, low production, high price and inequitable distribution, to a virtuous cycle of increased demand, increased production, reduced price and greater equity of access. Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated. There are between 1.4 million and 4.3 million cases a year, and as

many as 142 000 deaths. Cholera is endemic in more than 50 countries, but usually only garners international attention during humanitarian emergencies, such as the outbreak among refugees in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 1994 that killed tens of thousands. Climate change and El Niño may also be contributing to more frequent cholera outbreaks. Oral cholera vaccines have been used in mass vaccination campaigns in response to humanitarian emergencies since 1997. But because the disease disproportionately affects poor communities who are often unaware that the vaccines exist, there has historically been little demand for the products. In 2013 the WHO created the world’s first OCV stockpile, undertaking to buy and use 2 mil-

lion doses a year in order to stabilize and create demand for the vaccines. Vaccination requires 2 doses per person, meaning the stockpile is sufficient to cover 1 million people. Access to OCV has been further improved by a commitment of US$115 million over 5 years from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to expand availability and the use of vaccine in countries with endemic cholera. Since the OCV stockpile was created more vaccines have been distributed and used than in the previous 15 years. A total of 21 OCV deployments of about 4 million doses to 11 countries have been used in various contexts: humanitarian crises in Cameroon, Haiti, Iraq, Nepal, South Sudan, and United Republic of Tanzania; outbreaks in Guinea and Ma-

lawi; and in endemic hotspots such as Bangladesh and Democratic Republic of the Congo. The creation of the stockpile and pre-qualification of a new vaccine producer highlights the success of an international joint effort through public-private partnership, including governments, non-profit organizations, manufacturers, donors and research organizations. Accompanying the use of stockpile vaccine, many donors and partners have worked together within the framework of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control (GTFCC) to demonstrate the public health potential of this vaccine when used in mass vaccination campaigns. The evidence is contributing to a body of work which will inform larger investments on the further production and use of this vaccine.

Lassa Fever: Lack of protective devices, self medication may worsen outbreak Franka Osakwe

A L-R: Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Health Commissioner, Dr. Jide Idris and another official at a press briefing on the state’s index case of Lassa fever, recently.

New Ebola case in Sierra Leone

new case of Ebola has been confirmed in Sierra Leone, reflecting the ongoing risk of new flare-ups of the virus in the Ebola-affected countries. A statement from the World healtrh Organisation (WHO) said the Sierra Leone government acted rapidly to respond to this new case. Through the country’s new emergency operations centre, a joint team of local authorities, WHO and partners are investigating the origin of the case, identi-

fying contacts and initiating control measures to prevent further transmission, the statement said. WHO also stressed that Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone remain at high risk of additional small outbreaks of Ebola in the coming months due to the virus persisting in survivors after recovery. “We are now at a critical period in the Ebola epidemic as we move from managing cases and patients to managing the residual risk of new infections,” said Dr

Bruce Aylward, WHO’s Special Representative for the Ebola Response, yesterday. “We still anticipate more flare-ups and must be prepared for them.” Sierra Leone is still in a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance following the declaration on 7 November 2015 of the end of Ebola transmission in the country. This period is designed to ensure no hidden chains of transmission have been missed and to detect any new flare-ups of the disease.

s the first patient of Lassa Fever in Lagos battles for his life at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), the Guild of Medical Directors (GMD), the body representing private medical practitioners in Nigeria, is convinced that health workers and more contacts from Ahmmadiyyah Hospital, Ojokoro, may have been infected. They reasoned that the hospital, like many other private hospitals, lack protective devices, thereby exposing the in-patients and health workers to the disease. Already, 91 contacts comprising of fifteen (15) inpatients as well as 25 health workers from the facility are being monitored for the next 21 days. While we wait for this period to elapse, The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, during his speech last week, described the failure to curb this outbreak, as a ‘National embarrassment’. This is because the disease, though a

UNICEF advocates more support for children in wake of Ebola epidemic

early 23,000 children who lost one or both parents or their primary caregivers to Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone will continue to need care and support, UNICEF said as it welcomed the declaration that there are no more cases of the disease in West Africa. Today’s declaration that Libe-

ria is free of Ebola transmissions, having completed a 42-day period without a case of the disease, follows Guinea’s declaration in December and Sierra Leone’s in November. The country now enters a three month period of heightened surveillance. “To have contained this epidemic is an achievement, but we

can’t forget the terrible toll Ebola has taken on these countries,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa. “Many people continue to suffer, particularly those children whose lives have been left even more vulnerable by the virus.” The vast majority of the chil-

dren whose parents or caregivers died of Ebola have been taken in by immediate or extended family or community members, and it is critical to continue supporting them beyond the emergency phase through cash grants, school support, clothing and food during the transition and to sustain new family care arrangements.

hemorrhagic fever, is milder than Ebola Virus Disease, and can be treated and cured if detected early. National President, Guild of Medical Director, Dr. Tony Philips, regretted the fact that the private hospitals, which take care of about 70 per cent of Nigerians health, are not well equipped with protective devices and adherence to best practices, to deal with public health emergencies such as Lassa Fever outbreak. This makes it difficult to effectively curtail the disease. He blamed this shortcoming on Federal Government’s inability to carry the private sector along in health issues. “It is regrettable that the federal government does not consider it necessary to give out protective garments to health workers in private hospitals even though 70 per cent of Nigerians go to private hospital. Instead of giving us this garments free of charge or at very low price, they will keep it in their stores and even sell them high prices. The private sector has been sidelined in health plans”, he said. Another driving force of the disease, according to Dr. Philips is the issue of self-medication and attitude of Nigerian to illnesses. He said Nigerians wait till they get really sick before they go to hospital because they pay out-of-pocket, so by the time they present, it has crossed the clinical level. the outbreak has so far claimed 43 lives across ten states.

Health & Wellbeing

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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Facts you should know about Lassa fever Key facts • Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 1-4 weeks duration that occurs in West Africa. • The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces. • Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in hospitals lacking adequate infection prevent and control measures. • Lassa fever is known to be endemic in Benin (where it was diagnosed for the first time in November 2014), Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and parts of Nigeria, but probably exists in other West African countries as well. • The overall case-fatality rate is 1%. Observed case-fatality rate among patients hospitalized with severe cases of Lassa fever is 15%. • Early supportive care with rehydration and symptomatic treatment improves survival.

Background Though first described in the 1950s, the virus causing Lassa disease was not identified until 1969. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the virus family Arenaviridae. About 80% of people who become infected with Lassa virus have no symptoms. One in five infections result in severe disease, where the virus affects several organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys. Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans become infected from contact with infected animals. The animal reservoir, or host, of Lassa virus is a rodent of the genus Mastomys, commonly known as the “multimammate rat.” Mastomys rats infected with Lassa virus do not become ill, but they can shed the virus in their urine and faeces. Because the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection of the disease in affected patients has been difficult. However, when presence of the disease is confirmed in a community, prompt isolation of affected patients, good infection protection and control practices and rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks.

Symptoms of Lassa fever The incubation period of Lassa fever ranges from 6-21 days. The onset of the disease, when it is symptomatic, is usually gradual, starting with fever, general weakness, and malaise. After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow. In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop. Protein may be noted in the urine. Shock, seizures, tremor, disorientation, and coma may be seen in the later stages. Deafness occurs in 25% of patients who survive the disease. In half of these cases, hearing returns partially after 1-3 months. Transient hair loss and gait disturbance may occur during recovery. Death usually occurs within 14 days of onset in fatal cases. The disease is especially severe late in pregnancy, with maternal death and/or fetal loss occurring in greater than 80% of cases during the third trimester.

Transmission Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans. Person-to-person transmission occurs in both community and healthcare settings, where the virus may be spread by contaminated medical equipment, such as re-used needles. Sexual transmission of Lassa virus has been reported.

Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes. Persons at greatest risk are those living in rural areas where Mastomys are usually found, especially in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions. Health workers are at risk if caring for Lassa fever patients in the absence of proper barrier nursing and infection control practices.

Diagnosis Because the symptoms of Lassa fever are so varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early in the course of the disease. Lassa fever is difficult to distinguish from other viral haemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola virus disease; and many other diseases that cause fever, including malaria, shigellosis, typhoid fever and yellow fever. Definitive diagnosis requires testing that is available only in specialized laboratories. Laboratory specimens may be hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. Lassa virus infections can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory using the following tests: • antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) • antigen detection tests • reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reac tion (RT-PCR) assay • virus isolation by cell culture.

Treatment and vaccines The antiviral drug ribavirin seems to be an effective treatment for Lassa fever if given early on in the course of clinical illness. There is no evidence to support the role of ribavirin as post-exposure prophylactic treatment for Lassa fever. There is currently no vaccine that protects against Lassa fever.

Prevention and control Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good “community hygiene” to discourage rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are so abundant in endemic areas, it is not possible to completely eliminate them from the environment. Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons. In health-care settings, staff should always apply

standard infection prevention and control precautions when caring for patients, regardless of their presumed diagnosis. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (to block splashes or other contact with infected materials), safe injection practices and safe burial practices. Health workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with the patient’s blood and body fluids and contaminated surfaces or materials such as clothing and bedding. When in close contact (within 1 metre) of patients with Lassa fever, health-care workers should wear face protection (a face shield or a medical mask and goggles), a clean, non-sterile long-sleeved gown, and gloves (sterile gloves for some procedures). Laboratory workers are also at risk. Samples taken from humans and animals for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitably equipped laboratories. On rare occasions, travellers from areas where Lassa fever is endemic export the disease to other countries. Although malaria, typhoid fever, and many other tropical infections are much more common, the diagnosis of Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they have had exposures in rural areas or hospitals in countries where Lassa fever is known to be endemic. Health-care workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.

WHO response The Ministries of Health of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, WHO, the Office of United States Foreign Disaster Assistance, the United Nations, and other partners have worked together to establish the Mano River Union Lassa Fever Network. The programme supports these 3 countries in developing national prevention strategies and enhancing laboratory diagnostics for Lassa fever and other dangerous diseases. Training in laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, and environmental control is also included. In addition, a new ward dedicated to the care of patients with Lassa fever is under construction in Sierra Leone, sponsored by the European Union.

Courtesy: WHO

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Arts Lounge

Growing amidst writers, readers helped me –Yewande Omotoso

Oxford Gardens goes to PAFF

New writers and scarcity of publishers in Nigeria

A section of the library at Bayero University in Kano, Nigeria

The apparent lack of willing publishers to sign on new writers in Nigeria is forcing some to embrace self-publishing with its attendant risks. Ngozi Emedolibe

he economy has not been very helpful indeed. For a new writer in Nigeria, having his work printed into a book can sometimes be challenging. The pathway, which is riddled with rejections by the few thriving publishing houses often leaves the budding talents frustrated, with a few daring ones venturing into self-publishing as the last resort. Although statistics are not available, this trend could mean that only about twenty percent of ideas which would have transformed into books make it to the shelves, leaving so many stories untold and buried. The few that eventually get published also face the reality of being unevenly distributed; making such works available to a tiny fraction of its supposed audience. While a few privileged new writers from Nigeria like Chibundu Onuzo, who got signed on by Farber in the United Kingdom, have had to travel abroad to imprint their names amongst publishers, the few publishing houses in Nigeria seem to be more comfortable with re-publishing works by Nigerian authors based abroad, although such proprietors of the publishing houses often acknowledge that the country is simmering with budding talents. Why has self-publishing become the new haven for new writers in Nigeria? Nkem Okocha, who writes with the pseudonym Myne Whitman, it is the same old story of rejection by book publishers. According to her, “I decided to self-publish

Digital library

because I heard some good stories about the process and how it can be successful if you apply yourself. I had been discouraged earlier on in my writing when I tried to pursue it after my first degree. I was rejected by the very few publishers we had in Nigeria in those days. So this time after several similar letters from publishers and agents, I decided on selfpublishing since I had my full time to dedicate to it”, she says. Her efforts have spawned two romance books: A Heart to Mend and A Love Rekindled. But Myne Whitmna, who lives in the United States, obviously has made more inroads than Samuel Akponine, who publishes his books under BAS Creations as a self effort. According to this author of over four works of fiction, self-publishing becomes the way out when you want to have your works in print. “We belong to a generation which I will call disadvantaged in terms of publishing. With publishers finding it hard to survive, getting someone to publish an unknown author in Nigeria becomes an uphill task. I just knew I could not continue to wait in those circumstances. While it is a way out, it is also a very difficult option because with one’s lean resources, one is unable to spread the work the way it is supposed to be distributed.” A Lagos based writer, Henry Chukwuemeka Onyema in his essay : Nigeria Literature at Fifty: A Coat of Many Colours, reflected on self-publishing thus: “Yet, self-publishing is a problem for quality Nigerian literature. Obscurantism that has

little to do with literary craft remains a strange addiction for many Nigerian writers, especially poets. The contemporary generation’s supposed affinity for ‘the pleasures of the flesh’ in their works remains a sore point with some of their literary elders and notable critics like Professor Charles Nnolim. Aesthetics remains a challenge. Since the demise of the Macmillan Pacesetters series in Nigeria and writers like Cyprian Ekwensi and Kalu Okpi, only a few intrepid spirits are giving Nigerians what they deserve in the romance/ thriller/popular fiction genres. Nigerian literature deserves its own James Hadley Chase, Frederick Forsyth, Agatha Christie, Barbara Cartland, Tom Clancy and John Grisham.” Although Nigeria towers above other African countries in terms of awards, having won a Nobel Prize in Literature, a Booker Man Prize, an Orange Prize, Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and three Caine Prize winners, self-publishing can be a hindrance to more hauls in terms of awards. According to Arts Lounge checks, most literary prizes have no recognition for self-published works. Caine Prize, for instance, accepts only published works sent by the publishers, a factor that is capable of excluding lots of credible works that could win awards. Another danger of self-publishing is the fact that lean resources always means lots of errors as a result of poor editing and often times distortion of facts of history especially in non-fiction genres. This hurdle of finding well-rounded

Self-publishing is a problem for quality Nigerian literature. Obscurantism that has little to do with literary craft remains a strange addiction for many

Nigerian

writers, especially poets

publishers has also become a spring board for numerous ‘emergency publishers’ who capitalise on covering the grounds the big publishers may not be covering. Arts Lounge learnt that these publishers usually have recouping their investments at the back of their minds, and have often targeted young readers. “While the adults may not be reading much, they want their children to imbibe the culture of reading and this has given birth to some emergency publishers, who only publish works like story books often sold for one hundred naira. Their market is also limited, and has not done much to boost interest in Literature,” averred a source. The dangers inherent in self-publishing may not be comparable to the dangers being done to the literary landscape by the ‘emergency publishers’, who tend to narrow the writers into themes that are suitable for their market. Chijioke Okike, an aspiring writer told Arts Lounge how these publishers guard their writers to create only for their targeted audience. “The royalty is low, but that is not as bad as the idea that you do not have that creative licence that makes writing a delight. They will, of course, tell you what to write about based on the sales they are making. They tend to place more emphasis on themes that have sold very well, and do not mind churning out books in this line”. The way out of the present dilemma may be rooted in creating an enabling environment for the bold entrants into the new era publishing landscape in Nigeria some emerging publishers are doing to tap into the commercial advantage offered by e-books. This would equip publishers with tools that make publishing cost-effective and perhaps create resources to bring on board the works of the many budding young writers in Nigeria.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

VOICES

Language and challenge of imagination Charles Ogbulogo

anguage and the Challenge of Imagination At the centre of the nexus of knowledge in philosophy, psychology, politics, and linguistics, among other endeavours, is language. To the philosopher, the link between knowledge and language is provided by epistemology. The psychologist is concerned with the nature of the connection holding between cognitive development and language. This can be expressed by the critical role language plays in the acquisition of knowledge. The linguist on the other hand concentrates on the structure of human language and how this structure impacts on our interpretation of the mechanism of thought in the world. This connectivity has been elaborated upon by Halliday (1978). According to him, when a child learns a language, he learns other things about the world around him. These other things are the issues of life that will aid survival. Therefore, the child is building up a picture of the reality around him. Thus, language becomes the embodiment of his knowledge base from which wisdom and the realization of destiny derives. It has been aptly observed by Oyedepo (2006) that imagination, as a vital key to success helps us to form the mental picture we desire. The African needs very fertile imagination to maximize destiny. The central position of politics for instance has been summarized in the often quoted expression: “Man is a political animal” This has been modified by Ranciere (2004), “Man is a political animal because he is a literary animal who lets himself be directed from his natural purpose by the power of words” As interpreted by Akere (1998), language as acquired knowledge in the context of a culture opens the way to social reality. Language from this perspective goes beyond a collection of sentences or utterances. It incorporates texts and bits of discourses with the potential for shared meaning for the purpose of understanding. We can elaborate on the imaginative role of language by making reference to its cognitive dimension. George (1962) defines cognition as the way people perceive, reason,

Prof Charles Ogbulogo

think and learn. It also includes how they imagine and remember. It encompasses how the mind works in everyday life. The argument can be extended to philosophers. Magee (1978:184), following in the steps of Wittgenstein reasons that: in investigating language, we are investigating the structure of experience. Indeed we are investigating alternative ways of organizing a world and therefore alternative ways of living. This submission accords with the perception of language as knowledge. This expresses the hidden structure of the brain that predisposes people to understand one another and operate within their social milieu. Wittgenstein (1953) argues further that language should be taken as that tool that penetrates our lives and our activities every time. To him, words are like tools and gears that mesh with the rest of our behaviour. Interestingly, Popper (1973:106) has identified the following three functions of language in enhancing

our view of life: Language shows: i. the world of the physical objects or state, ii. the world of the state of consciousness or the mental state, iii. the world of objective contexts of thought, especially scientific and imaginative thoughts, including works of art. The four critical functions of language are embedded in these words expressive, signalling descriptive and argumentative. It is the descriptive and argumentative functions that separate man from other beasts. It is this power of description that has made understanding possible. It is also this quality that has made possible the distinction between truth and falsehood as well as the development of reason. Following Popper, the evolution of theoretical formulation is possible through the argumentative functions of language. A new insight into the relationship between language and development has been presented by Adnan (2007). In a blog message that carries a very well researched document, Adnan made

Basic Education should equip learners with the ability for analytical and synthetic thinking to be able to make sound judgment in creative ways.

Memorable Reads Who is your favourite author? I cannot pin it down to anyone in particular. I have read some works by known and unknown authors, and my impression is that some works could be exceptionally good irrespective of the author. And some works could also be boring despite the famous author. I read in-between the lines. Which book has made the most impact in your life? It should be ‘The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born’ by Ayi Kwei Armah. Why? On the surface level, you will see a simple story of a man but when you look at it figuratively, you will see the story of the African, of the rot in our society. It is the kind of book you read and see the story at the superficial level and within this you would see some salient points about the society the writer is trying

Jerry Isichei

Producer

to pass across. That is what makes the book tick for me. That is essentially what I look forward to in a book. If you should write a book, what would be your theme? It will be politics. I have watched politicians in Africa, and I noticed that there is something unique about them that our creative writers are not cashing in on. There are vital aspects of us that are still missing. Africa is where it is today because we have not gotten our politics right. My book will dwell on politics. What is your annual budget for books? It will be difficult to ascertain. I am a producer and on regular basis I buy books, magazines, and scripts. But I have not really bothered to tabulate that and know what it comes to yearly.

an emphatic declaration that language has “played a significant role in the rise and fall of civilizations”, because of the connection between thinking and the power of language. Adnan (2007) further argues that the emphasis a nation places on specific language tools and paradigms derives from the thought processes the nation desires to promote. Following from this submission are two types of language skills – Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) and the Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). BICS, according to Adnan (2007) ensure that we interact well in the society, deploying appropriate emotional and social underpinnings. CALP is central to the development of the scientific culture. Investments in BICS ensure the basic survival of the society by building cohesion, harmony and fruitful exchange. CALP is required for scientific breakthroughs without which no society can compete in the comity of nations. The need for progression and the integration of both BICS and CALP has consistently featured in the educational blueprints of many developing nations, including Nigeria. The critical challenge has remained implementation. Obanya (2000), thinking in retrospect about the false starts of the promise of Universal Basic Education in Nigeria, highlights the need for this level of education to form “the roots for literacy and numeracy as well as the inculcation of life skills, moral and civic values-“ cf Ogbulogo (2012b). Basic Education should also form the basis for lifelong learning – a prelude to the development of CALP. This point has been made more emphatic by the reference to the experience of Thailand in advocating among other things, that Basic Education should equip learners with the ability for analytical and synthetic thinking to be able to make sound judgment in creative ways. This demands that our students should be trained to develop a sense of vision, with the power to predict future outcomes and engage in problem solving. •Charles Ogbulogo, is a Professor of English and Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Covenant University.

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Arts Lounge

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

ARTISTE UNCENSORED

Growing amidst writers, readers helped me –Yewande Omotoso Born into the Omotoso literary dynasty, Yewande is a proof that a career in writing has elements of nature and nurture.

his is a novel bursting with elegance, written by a young author brimming with genuine promise. Yewande Omotoso is a stylist with a literary vision”...are the words that heralded the description of her debut novel, BOMBOY, by great Somali writer Nuruddin Farah. Published by Modjaji Books, Yewande was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Fiction Award, pan-African Etisalat Prize for Literature in 2013 and awarded with the South African Literary Award (SALA) for the English First-time Published Author. Yewande Omotosho, born in Barbados and lived most of her life in South Africa, comes from good literary stock with her father, Kole Omotosho, being an academic and novelist while her brother is film maker Akin Omotosho, the man behind the blockbuster movie, Man on Ground. How did writing for her begin? “I remember writing little books by hand and my cousin drawing the pictures. I may have been 7 or 8. The stories were definitely bad! But, yes, I think growing up in the home of writers and readers, with the amount of reading my parents did to my brothers and I at bedtime, with all the typewriters lying around the house – all of this was a great influence. I read a lot of Rosa Guy as a young girl, and then I got into Toni Morrison in my mid-teens. Single books like So Long a Letter impacted me” Her poem, The Rain, was shortlisted for the 2012 Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award. On whether she feels pressurized by being the daughter of a popular novel-

ist, she says she was rather free. I don’t have that kind of relationship with my father where I feel pressure. There is a lot of freedom to do what you want to do. My parents were great storytellers and story readers. We’d often sit as a family and my Dad would read to us, in English and sometimes in Yoruba. I don’t know if the connection was that obvious. I don’t remember listening to these stories and thinking I want to write too. I do remember loving them, and writing really feels like something that was always there and possible” An architect by profession, she had to hone her craft by full-time dedication to reading one to two books a week and attending different writing workshops. It’s what you would expect from a serious writer, one who submitted her book for her Creative Writing master’s degree at the University of Cape Town in the same week as she took the manuscript to a publisher. She may have given up a career in favour of a vocation, but at least she’s designing her own future, one in which she writes novels that “entertain but also get people to think, reflect on themselves and reflect on prejudice” “The Caine Prize Workshop and the Farafina Workshop are very different in organization. Caine asks that you submit a short story by the end of the ten days; Farafina does not have this requirement. The distinction allows for different lessons to be learnt in each situation. Caine does involve

a certain amount of pressure; once you submit it will no longer be edited, and once published there is no taking it back! So you work long and hard to make sure you present something you won’t regret. I learned a lot at Caine in terms of editing, re-editing, and re-editing another five times! I also learned a great deal from the other very talented writers at the workshop. The Farafina Workshop was very special to me, perhaps because of my admiration for Chimamanda, and perhaps also because it was in my home-country. I loved the absence of pressure to produce work (as in Caine); it meant there was time for long discussions about writing, practical exercises we were given, a lot of reading assignments. A writer friend talks about doing away with your ego if you want to become a good writer, being willing to be in awe of others that are better than you as opposed to jealous, and just being willing to learn and learn and learn”, she adds How did she come about the title ‘Bom-

An architect by profession, she had to hone her craft by full-time dedication to reading one to two books a week and attending different writing workshops

MIDWEEK JUMP

Beyond Blood comes to cinemas

enowned television filmmaker, Greg Odutayo’s new work, Beyond Blood is still running in cinemas across many cities in Nigeria, after its official premiere at Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos on January 15, 2016. The movie, according to him chronicles the

ills in our society and the world at large. This include Human Trafficking, Prostitution, Drug addiction, AIDS, Homosexuality, gangs and a culture that legitimises tyranny and injustice especially of women trapped in the vagrancies of culture and tradition. Beyond Blood was shot in four languages: English, Pidgin, French and Yoruba languages with subtitles. It was shot in Lagos, Nigeria and London, UK. Besides Kehinde Bankole who played Moji, it also starred Bimbo Manuel, Caroline King, Joseph Benjamin, and Francis Onwochei amongst others.

boy’? “I will be honest; it wasn’t my idea. It was either my supervisor or the publisher. I wrote the book as my Masters’ thesis at the University of CapeTown; Masters in Creative Writing. Somebody suggested it and I thought it was a good idea; the word was used a lot in the book in reference to the main character. His father calls him that, and I think it works as a title. It’s more common here but it’s strange in South Africa. “A friend suggested Modjaji and I looked them up online. I researched other books they’d published and decided to send my summary and manuscript to them. I was very ready for rejection but for whatever reason I was lucky and Modjaji accepted my manuscript. I did not pursue any other publishers”. For Yewande, the primary quality of being a writer is being brave and trusting. “Apart from reading, reading, reading and writing (read more than you write, I’d say), you also have to be brave. It is scary to make anything and present it to the world, particularly if you’ve put your heart into it. Cultivate discipline and some level of organization. Lastly, one of the most invaluable things is to find a reader, someone you trust (perhaps themselves a writer) that you can show your work to; someone who knows how to give critique without including destruction – these early stages are a very delicate and vulnerable time

The Videonale in Lagos

he VIDEONALE IN LAGOS: Changing CityShifting Spaces Art Workshop is taking place on 23rd of January 2016, by 5pm with an interesting talk by Theo Esthetu co- founder of the event at the Department of Creative Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos. Different art works and videos by the participants will be shown and display, which was done through different research and artistic activities to approach the urban landscape of the city of Lagos. The opening of the VIDEONALE IN LAGOS exhibi-

tion: will take place on 30th January, by 5pm, freedom park, kongi’s Harvest.

Arts Lounge

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

FAR AND NEAR

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Oxford Gardens goes to PAFF

Giving Garage presents #3K4ORPHANS

Ngozi Emedolibe

s predicted by film critics, Oxford Gardens, the latest film by awardwinning director, Obi Emelonye has opened the year with a step of honour. This is as the film has made the official selection list of the 24th Pan African Film Festival billed to hold at the Rave Cinema in Los Angeles, California, USA from February 4 to February 15, 2016. Set in London, Oxford Gardens is the story of a girl who was diagnosed of cancer and how she struck a bond of unforgettable memories with a retired boxer in a bid to satisfy her yearnings of having the best moments of her last hours on earth. A joint production between Obi Emelonye’s company, The Nollywood Factory and Africa Magic, the movie is part of the Africa Magic Original Film, AMOF initiative. The director-producer, who is renowned for championing causes with his themes in Nollywood, says he intends to be refreshingly different with Oxford Gardens. “I dig deep to explore stories that our young industry has ignored for some reason or another. In 2011, it was The Mirror Boy which attempted to see Africa through the eyes of a 12 year old London-born African boy. Last Flight to Abuja, a year later dealt with the glamorous world of aviation with its excitement, glitz and unfortunately, crashes. In

Set of Oxford Gardens

all of these projects, I am seeking a new vista from which to see our common existence. In Oxford Gardens, I have attempted to tell a moving love story, wrapped in boxing gloves. Nigeria has produced great boxers, old and new. However, for some reason, Nollywood has ignored stories around boxing in spite of boxing’s gritty nature that would lend itself easily to cinematography. Boxing films over the years have been hugely successful globally because they stir potent emotions in audiences, as the Rocky series and more recently Cinderalla Man and

Southpaw have proved. Oxford Gardens is a film about boxing and not a boxing film. It takes some of the elements that make boxing films successful; sympathy for the underdog, blood, sweat, tears; and weaves them into a narrative that is an allegory for our broader fight for love, life and our place in the world.” The film features Ngoli Okafor, a twotime Golden Gloves boxing champion in United States, Ngozi Thompson Igwebike, Savanah Roy, Iffy Chukwu, Princess Abiye, Frank Ani, Nnenna Ani and D’Richy Emelonye.

My wife’s cancer story by Sir Shina Peters

SSP & SAMMY

Ngozi Emedolibe

t is the song of victory in the Afro juju music scene as Sir Shina Peters has opened up concerning the deadly cancer attack, which his wife, Sammy Pe-

ters just overcame. The music star summarised his emotions during his wife’s birthday, which also served as a thanksgiving party. The highly-elated and emotional Shina Peters was expressing his feelings to mark his wife’s return after she was declared free from any particle of cancer. Sir Shina Peter said: “Many implications could have resulted, had victory not achieved of the terminal sickness; Firstly, treatment of cancer needs enormous amount of money and when she was diagnosed, I could not imagine how to source for fund, but God made some miraculous provisions beyond human comprehension. If I was unable to meet the monetary expectation, it would have affected my personal image as a celebrity, it would have affected my music career negatively and it would bring psychological trauma to my life. Secondly, Sammy means everything to me. She is more than a wife and best friend, she has her soul tied to mine, and hence whatever happens to Sammy is already affecting Shina. Without “Ayo mi”, “Olu mi” can never live as a complete human being. To tell you the truth, through-

out the period of Sammy’s health challenges, I was also a sick person. If you think you see Shina Peters, it’s a lie; I was only a ghost of my real self. Thirdly, had the cancer attack turned negative, I myself cannot determine what the rest of my life (if any) would become; maybe I will become an atheist or I would just join her immediately, The reason is that the cosmos arrangement between me and Ayo mi has nothing to do with untimely death of any one of us. There is an eternal covenant between us and a destiny to fulfill together.” He however attributed the success story to God. “God! God!! God!!! And no one but God. Apart from making the wonderful provision, he prepared the medical personnel and even raised Prayer Ministers to intercede spiritually. Not to forget, God gave me extra strength, the rigors of staying alone in Nigeria and periodically travelling abroad to encourage my wife, as well as update myself on the situation”. Shina further said he has discovered that fat bank account cannot cure cancer. Reference was made of Maryam Babangida, Simbiat Abiola, Dora Akunyuli and a few others who had access to enormous finances but yet could not survive the deadly attack. Sammy Peters returned to Nigeria on Tuesday January 5, after receiving treatment in the United States of America for over 13 months.

iving Garage, supported by many celebrities, is set to hold its second edition of the orphans support programme themed; “The Green Reception; Lets Encourage Celebrations at Charity Homes”, scheduled to hold on Sunday January 31, 2016, at the Heart of Gold, Surulere, Lagos. Giving Garage is an ambitious initiative that seeks to engage, train and assist young social entrepreneurs in Africa by improving the way societal problems are addressed. Our research reveals that most social entrepreneurs do not have a solution space for the purpose of networking, idea development, and productive collaboration. The initiative is a platform that provides support for social innovators. The support comes in various forms e.g. networking, self-development, workshops, crowd funding and so on. So the platform is like a ‘garage’ it would also create the requisite awareness that will encourage and promote social good. At Giving Garage, we understand that a certain kind of environment is needed to nurture idea and develop sustainably. Therefore, our core objective is to create a virtual space that will provide support system for social innovations to thrive in Africa. The ‘Giving Garage Outreach 2.0 will feature ‘CHASTE CHARITY AT 31’, to celebrate the innovator’s birthday as well as 3K4Orphans which arises from the dire need to assist orphans. The idea is that if three hundred (300) people donate three thousand naira (N3000) each, 3K4Orphans will successfully raise nine hundred thousand naira (N900,000) for orphans. The funds will go towards the Heart of Gold Hospices (Orphanage) to start an entrepreneurial venture that would help sustain the home on a monthly basis.

Ifeoma Okeke

Business

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Non-OPEC oil supply to drop by 0.66 mbpd in 201630

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Indigenous operators face tougher times as oil prices slide 33

Cargo clearing cost rises by 500% in 10 years –NAGAFF

FRANCIS EZEM

he National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAFF has said that the core objectives of the Federal Government’s port reform programme have yet to be achieved, as cost of clearing imports at the seaports has increased by more than 500 per cent in the last 10 years.  The government had embarked on a reform of the port system aimed at enhancing efficiency, reduce cost, make the seaports competitive among their peers within the West African sub-region and also attract private investments needed to develop the port infrastructure, among several others.  Following the completion of the programme, the terminal operators in January 2006 took over the management of the terminals and cargo handling operations.  Founder of the association, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, who spoke at the weekend, observed that stakeholders have yet to reap the true benefits of the exercise, as cost of operation has increased by more than 500 per cent over the last 10 years.  According to him, this development was made worse by the fact that this sharp increase in the

cost of port services is not matched with proportionate increase in the quality of service delivery.  He disclosed that the billing system by the private terminal operators, who took over the cargo handling functions from the Nigeria Ports Authority NPA has been characterised by imposition of charges and fees by the concessionaires.  “There have been cases where an importer pays N400,000 on a consignment and he is made to N4 million on rent or demurrage charges

due to delays caused by the terminal operators”, he lamented.  It was also gathered that these terminal operators do not comply with the provisions of section 31 of the Customs and Excise Management Act CEMA, especially as they affect the 14-day requirement for the compilation of Uncleared Cargo List UCL, as they commence billing the importer even when the consignment has not been discharged in their terminals.  Aniebonam

Improving insurance policy thrusts is crucial to Nigeria’s economic growth –NIEF boss 28

also said: “The beneficiaries of the sharing of the port terminals, who are mostly government officials and their cronies merely blackmailed NPA when they deceived Nigerians to believe that the so-called reforms would enhance efficiency and cost reduction”.  He argued that contrary to this deceit, the seaports have neither experienced an enhanced efficiency nor cost reduction.

AIRLINES’ FLIGHT SCHEDULES Med-View Airline Lagos- Abuja (Mon-Fri): 07.00, 08.50, 12.00, 16.30. Abuja- Lagos (Mon-Fri): 09.00, 14.00, 15.00, 18.30. Lagos-Yola (Mon-Fri): 8.50am. Yola-Lagos (Mon-Fri): 13.00. Lagos- PHC (Mon-Fri): 17.00. PHC-Lagos: 19.00. Abuja-Yola: 11.00. Yola-Abuja: 13.00. Lagos-Abuja (Sat): 08.00, 08.50. Abuja-Lagos (Sat): 10.00, 15.00. Lagos-PHC (Sat): 17.00. PHC-Lagos (Sat): 19.00. Lagos-Yola (Sat): 08.50. Yola-Lagos (Sat): 13.00

Dana Air

L-R: Second Vice President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr. Adedapo Adekoje; Acting President, Mr. Oluwaseyi Abe; Director, Global Business Development, Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI), United Kingdom, Mr. Kevin Moore; Registrar and Chief Executive, CIS, Mr. Adedeji Ajadi and Senior Country Representative, CISI, Dr. John Osuoha during the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between CISI and CIS in Lagos last Thursday

GSM lines rises by 103,861 in Nov Isaiah Erhiawarien

espite the lingering SIM card registration crisis, which has put the industry regulator, Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, at loggerhead with industry leader, MTN Nigeria, about 103, 861 GSM lines were added to the numbers of GSM lines in the country. Statistics released by the NCC revealed that active GSM mobile lines increased from 149.6 million in October 2015 to 149.7 million in November of same year, which is means an increase of 1.05 per cent of telephone penetration in Nigeria. The teledensity growth rate for that period showed that it increased from 108.57 in October to 108.66 in November while total active lines moved from 152 million in October to 152.1 million in November. For the Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, sector, the only surviv-

ing operator then in the period under review, Visafone added about 18,775 mobile phones to its network. Before its purchase by MTN Nigeria, Visafone had consistently been falling until it went up from 2.1 million in October to 2.14 million in November 2015. For instance, it fell from 2.1 million in June to 2 million in July while in August it further went down by 2.1 million and then to 2 million in September. President of the National Association Telecoms Subscribers, NATCOMS, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo said that the increase in the GSM phones was due to the fact that communication is important to the life of every people. He said that the GSM phone has not only made life easy for Nigerians but has stimulated the way business is conducted across the country saying that that NATCOMS has always insist on the subscriber getting value for his money.

He added that much of the increase maybe attributed those whose phone lines may have been barred following the SIM card registration crisis saying that two of lines were also barred due to the crisis. The latest NCC statistics showed that monthly data increased from 140.8 million in January 2015, the subscriber base increased to 142.5 million in February. Also, the figure increased to 143.9 million, 145.4 million, 146.5 million, 148.7 million, 150.7 million and 151 million from March to August respectively. Similarly, in September, October and November, active mobile subscriptions on all the networks hit 150.6 million, 152 million and 152.1 million respectively The report, which also captured vivid trend of the country’s teledensity, revealed that it stood at 100.59 per cent in January, but increased to 101.85 per cent, 102.81 per cent and 103.91 per cent in February, March and April in ascending order.

Abuja-Lagos 9am, 1pm, 5.28pm daily Lagos-Abuja 7am, 11am, 1.23pm,3.30pm daily Lagos-PH: 7.20AM, Ph-Abuja9.54am, Abuja-ph: 3.30pm and Ph-Lagos: 5.28pm daily Lagos-Uyo: 9.20am, Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am, Abuja-Uyo 1.05pm, Uyo-Lagos: 3pm daily Weekends Lagos-Abuja: 7.02am, 9am, 3.30pm Abuja-Lagos: 9am, 2.20pm and 5.28pm Lagos -Phc: 11.07am Phc-Lagos: 1.05pm Phc-Abuja: 12.51pm Abuja-Phc: 10.50am Lagos-Uyo: 9.18am Uyo-LOS -3.03pm Uyo-Abuja: 11.07am Abuja-Uyo: 1.05pm

Aero Contractors Lag-Abj: 06.50, 13.30, 16.30, 19.45 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun), 12.30 (Sun) 16.45 (Sat) Abj-Los: 07.30, 13.00, 19.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat, 10.30, 14.30, 19.30 (Sun, 18.30 Sat) Lag-Benin: 07.45, 11.00, 15.30 (Mon-Fri/Sat/ Sun) 12.30 (Sun 15.30 (Sat) Ben-Lag: 09.15, 12.30, 17.00 (Mon-Fri/Sat/Sun) 17.00 (Sat) 14.00 (Sun)Lag-Owe: 7.45am, 2pm daily

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Improving insurance policy thrusts is crucial As the country trudges on despite its current fiscal challenges, development analysts still believe that if properly harnessed and well managed, available resources from oil and non-oil sectors could still be used by government to impact positively on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. In this interview with Isaac Asabor, a chartered accountant and National Coordinator of Nigerian Insurance Employees Forum, NIEF, Prince Jide Akinyooye, speaks on how to leverage on insurance industry potential to improve the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s economic performance, amongst other issues. Excerpts:

hat is your assessment of micro-insurance market in Nigeria?

Micro-insurance is supposed to be for small-scale businesses, low-income earners and other categories of businesses like artisans, hairdressers etc. It ought to be a link between the grass-root business men/women and the insurance companies. Presently, most main marketers in Nigerian insurance companies are doing the work of retailers (Agencies), they go so low to get any kind of business in order to achieve their respective targets. This is a clear indication that micro-insurance is not strong enough in Nigeria as at present.

Generally, micro-insurance should have been a major strategy of deepening insurance penetration in Nigeria. But reality showed that the objectives is not being realized or achieved. What do you think is responsible for this? Akinyooye Oh yes, this is true and there are so many reasons. Firstly, most insurance companies are not doing enough to train and motivate retailers (Agency) for micro-insurance business. The core objectives of our body is to Retailers are expected to drive micro- proffer solutions and pursue all issues insurance business. Hence, insurance affecting insurance with keen interest companies are expected to employ more but not necessarily for any selfish gains enlightened retailers that are knowl- to members as individuals. This made us edgeable about the industry because to conjoin other subsisting bodies like of their closeness to the petty business CIIN and NIA in the task of promoting people and they are the ones that will insurance sector in more different ways. It is worth mentioning that NIEF was make them know more about the benformed due to warranted circumstances efits associated with insurance policies. because most of us became uncomfortAlso, poor economic situation and inadable that insurance sector is the most equate sensitization and poor awareness marginalized sector of economy in Niare greater challenges militating against geria. For instance, the Federal Govinsurance penetration in Nigeria; this is ernment failed to involve our industry not limited to micro-insurance business during the last National Conference. but also affecting the sector as a whole. Also, the taxation laws applicable to inCan you tell us what informed the surance companies are the worst in the formation of your association and its universe, while the subsisting insurance institutions are concerned on mundane key objectives? We discovered that various problems issues. The governments at different are confronting insurance sector while minimal attempts by concerned stakeholders seem unsatisfactory. Then, we resolved to form Nigeria Insurance Employees Forum (NIEF) as a platform opened to only people employed / working in insurance industry. For instance, someone may be a Chartered Insurer and decide not to work in insurance industry, so those categories of people cannot be our members. NIEF is only for active insurance employees that can meaningfully contribute towards development of insurance sector in Nigeria.

level are not giving adequate support to the industry while the only effort is to over-regulate the sector. We felt that we needed to salvage the sector because of visible imminent danger in the nearest future. Unfortunately, the industry leaders are keeping-off their heads and allowing situation to degenerate. The best thing that has happened at this crucial period is the commitment of our body to create good awareness that insurance is a missing catalyst of achieving economic transformation in Nigeria. What achievements have you recorded in recent times? We are gradually making some silent achievements that would soon become public. We have been able to send representatives to previous administration to protest our exclusion during the last

NAICOM has already performed creditably to set some standards that would guarantee the public confidence in

the existing insurance companies.

But these

cannot translate to the required growth until the

Federal Government involves

insurance sector in its economic plan

National Conference in order to set good precedence and recognition for insurance sector in Nigeria. We are already successfully overcoming teething problem of any new body and we are proud to mention that we have been able to give continuing guidance and technical support to our members across the country. Importantly, we have been able to make our positions public on some issues affecting the insurance sector in Nigeria. Also, we are the leading group that mounted pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to fill the position of the Commissioner for Insurance before the tenure of the previous one expired. It is gratifying that the President responded to our request and ensured that the incumbent NAICOM boss was appointed the day that tenure of former Commissioner of Insurance expired. We are the first and only body that organized Press Conference to task the President on Insurance Reform when the new administration assumed office. It is at same Press Conference that we call the attention of the government to the obnoxious tax laws affecting insurance; and we are happy that NAICOM Boss has continued from there. Also, we have just empowered our Strategic Team with responsibility of channeling our demands / view to the Federal Government and concerned institutions on various issues

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Executive Discourse

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

to Nigeria’s economic growth –NIEF boss affecting insurance sector. NAICOM has in recent years become tougher on implementation of Practice Guidelines in the industry. How would you react to this and assess performance of the incumbent NAICOM`s boss? Assessment of leadership style of current Commissioner of Insurance is quite different from that of National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) as an institution. There is no doubt that it is just too early to appraise incumbent Commissioner for Insurance, Alhaji Mohammed Kari, but we cannot omit the fact that he has been able to convince us that he is a leader of distinction through his realistic and practical approach to issues. We were so happy and proud of him, when we discovered that he has made serious effort to call the attention of the Hon. Minister for Finance to those obnoxious tax laws affecting insurance sector in Nigeria. It is unfortunate that we had different people at various capacities at different times and none of them is sincere to cater for this shameful and inappropriate situation. Honestly, it will be one of the greatest achievements for the Federal Government if this proposal is eventually addressed. The entire industry sector will EVER remember the incumbent Commissioner for Insurance on this singular attempt and encourage him to follow-up. We hope he will continue to be a listening leadertowards achieving greatness in insurance sector. On the other hand, the NAICOM as an institution is not performing badly despite tougher implementation of its rules. Moreover, we are expecting that NAICOM should make itself “a place of refuge” that any insurance company can approach for solutions on technical issues and not to represent the problem itself. Let us be frank with ourselves, NAICOM has been too tough on implementation of various rules / guidelines that comes-out almost every time. We are tasking the new NAICOM leadership to change the perception of the stakeholders by adopting corrective measures instead of punitive measures against insurers. Also, we suggest for the review of required periodical returns from the insurance companies. The present quarterly returns template is too lengthy and needed to be reviewed towards efficiency. The NAICOM should step-up its efforts in the aspect of organizing training for its staff and the insurance companies. It is expected that the new leadership will appreciate all these facts and take the industry to the next level. Despite efforts by operators and regulators, there is still apathy about getting insured. How do you think this negative attitude could be reversed to boost the industry? NAICOM has already performed creditably to set some standards that would guarantee the public confidence in the existing insurance companies. But these cannot translate to the required growth until the Federal Government involves

It is expected that Mr. President will constitute a Presidential Ad-Hoc Committee on Insurance in order to give him the opportunity of addressing most salient issues affecting insurance sector in Nigeria

insurance sector in its economic plan. I challenge anyone to mention any government, whether in the past or present that keyed insurance factor as part of key issue to drive its economy in Nigeria. The neglect if just obvious and no economy can truly thrive without insurance. That is why the market seems always ready in the developed nations because people are always looking for insurance while reverse is the case in our country. We are hoping that present wave sweeping through Nigerian`s political landscape will positively affect the sector in a way that Federal Government will involve the sector in its developmental agenda. Also, the insurance stakeholders need to collaborate with governments at all levels on insurance awareness and education. It is high time for government stop wasting nation`s resources to compensate victims on various incidences that are coverable under insurance policies. They should rather invest in insurance education and the nation`s economy that includes insurance market will reap the gains.

confess that the insurance companies are seriously affected but no one is ready to open-up. The insurance marketers would understand this better. Is there any relationship between your association and others in Insurance Sector? The unifying factor among all of us is the “interest of developing insurance in Nigeria”. Besides, there are some of our members that are Associate Members of CIIN. The only difference is that NIEF operates in different form and we are too committed towards pursing issues affecting the insurance sector in Nigeria rather than interest of our members. Could you say a little about yourself and what are your final words for President Buhari on development of insurance sector? My name is Prince Jide Adelaja Akinyooye. I attended Osun State Polytechnic Iree and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso for my HND in

Given the current fiscal challenges in Nigeria, do you foresee the insurance industry doing better in the years ahead? Let me state that insurance companies have not been able to tap beyond 7% up till year 2015 since independence in 1960. The crashing of oil price in the global market is never a limiting factor; especially that insurance market share is still skimpy. The performance of insurance sector in the year 2016 will be a function of commitment of Federal Government to stimulate the sector through specific involvement in its policies, implementation of various laws on insurance. This is will enable positive impact on the nation`s economy and it is achievable because we presently have the suitable leaders as the regulator and President. But if nothing is done to address the dwindling sector, the result might even be worse and may God forbid. Apart from applicable tax laws on Insurance sector and issues concerning regulation; is there any major challenge facing the sector? The issue of rate-cutting has always been another problem in the industry; it has gotten to a stage where the stakeholders must seek for end on the situation that is encouraging unhealthy and unethical practices among insurers. I wish NAICOM leadership will be interested in solving this problem. I must

Akinyooye

Accountancy and Masters in Business Administration (Finance) programmes respectively. I am an Associate member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). Presently, I am working with one of the leading insurance companies in Nigeria. I got elected as the National Coordinator of Nigeria Insurance Employees Forum (NIEF) on 24th February,2015. President Buhari should please correct the tactical error of past administrations by taking immediate steps to involve insurance sector as catalyst of development. It is high time for the Government tobegin insurance education campaign and stop wasting people’s resources under disguise of emergency intervention payments to victims on occurrences that are well covered under insurance policies. The Federal Government through the Minister of Finance should facilitate necessary amendment on tax laws affecting insurance. Also, adequate budgetary provision should be made for NAICOM to ensure effective discharge of its operational and administrative activities so as to reduce pressure of generating incomes through unnecessary fines usually imposed by the regulatory body at the detriment of the insurance companies, who are covered under contract of indemnity. It is expected that Mr. President will constitute a Presidential AdHoc Committee on Insurance in order to give him the opportunity of addressing most salient issues affecting insurance sector in Nigeria.

Business News

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Non-OPEC oil supply to drop by 0.66 mbpd in 2016 UDEME AKPAN

he Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC members may have an upper hand in pumping more oil to the global market. The cartel indicated in its latest report that non-OPEC oil supply is now projected to contract by 0.66 mb/d, following a downward adjustment of 0.27 mb/d, adding that the revision has been due to stronger declines expected in the US and Canada caused by the lower price environment. The organisation disclosed that OPEC NGLs are seen growing by 0.17 mb/d in 2016, following an increase of 0.15 mb/d last year while also maintaining that in December, OPEC crude production decreased by 0.21 mb/d to average 32.18 mb/d, according to secondary sources. OPEC noted that product markets in the Atlantic Basin weakened in December. It indicated that the mild winter weather caused a sharp drop in the middle distillates crack spreads, which hit levels not seen since 2009, outweighing unseasonably

strong gasoline demand. According to the oil producing group the Asian margins remained relatively healthy on the back of stronger naphtha and gasoline demand.just as freight rates for dirty vessels saw mixed movements in December. The cartel has it that on average, VLCCs freight rates increased by 30per cent as a result of enhanced rates for tankers operating on all reported routes. It observed that in contrast, Suezmax and Aframax rates showed declines on limited activities. It clarified further that clean tanker spot freight rates were kept mostly at healthy levels compared to the previous month despite being lower on an annual basis. It indicated that OECD commercial oil stocks fell in November to stand at 2,966 mb. While explaining that at this level, inventories are around 267 mb higher than the five-year average, it also. noted that crude and products showed surpluses of around 200 mb and 67 mb, respectively. The oil producing group point-

Passenger traffic up by 5.9% in November- IATA

The International Air Transport Association, IATA, has announced global passenger traffic results for November showing continued strong traffic growth above the 10-year average rate of 5.6 per cent.  Total revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs) rose 5.9 per cent compared to the year-ago period.   Although below the October rate of 7.1 per cent, this largely was owing to the impact of factors that are expected to be shortlived, including the cessation of operations by Transaero, Russia’s second largest carrier, and labor strikes at Lufthansa.   The healthy demand continued despite some softening in economic growth, in large part owing to falling fares. Data for the first 10 months of the year show a 5 per cent decline in average fares in currency-adjusted terms. November capacity (available seat kilometers or ASKs) increased by 4.2 per cent, and load factor rose 1.3 per cent points to 78 per cent.  “Consumers continue to benefit from lower fares, which are spurring demand. The economy benefits from the stimulus to consumer spending. And airlines are starting to achieve minimum acceptable profit levels. It’s good news all around, but as we open 2016, economic risks are mounting,” said IATA Director-

General, Tony Tyler.  According to IATA, November international passenger demand rose 5.6 per cent compared to November 2014, with airlines in all regions recording growth. Total capacity climbed 4.1 per cent, and load factor edged up 1.1 per cent points to 76.2 per cent.  European carriers saw demand increase by 2.2 per cent. The lower growth primarily was triggered by the aforementioned shutdown of Transaero and labour issues at Lufthansa. Capacity slipped 0.1 per cent and load factor rose 1.7 per cent points to 79.5 per cent, highest among the regions.   African airlines’ experienced their fifth consecutive month of positive traffic growth in November, posting a 12.2 per cent rise compared to November 2014.   However, the trend for the year-to-date so far remains weak, with growth of just 1.3 per cent reflecting adverse economic developments in parts of the continent, including in Nigeria, which is highly reliant on oil revenues.  Over the past few months, exports from Africa have held up better than they did earlier in 2015, and this could be helping boost international air travel on the region’s carriers. Capacity rose 9.8 per cent and load factor rose 1.5 per cent points to 65.1 per cent.

ed out that in terms of forward cover, OECD commercial stocks stood at 63.7 days in November, some 5.8 days over the five year average. “Demand for OPEC crude in 2015 is estimated at 29.9 mb/d, an increase of 0.2 mb/d over the 2014

level. In 2016, demand for OPEC crude is forecast at 31.6 mb/d, some 1.7 mb/d higher than the previous year.” “Monetary policies have moved to the forefront of the economic analysis in the past weeks. The mid-December decision by the

US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by 0.25 percentage points represents an important shift in the monetary policy landscape. This decision represents a positive signal, as it has been taken by the Fed on the basis that US economic growth is healthy,” it stated.

L-R: COO, Marketing Edge, Mr Amos Oladele; GM, Mr. Anietie Udoh; Chairman, STB-McCANN, Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor and Publisher/CEO, Marketing Edge Magazine, Mr. John Ajayi at the presentation of 70th Birthday card to Omojafor, in commemoration of his 70th birthday during a visit to the celebrant in his office at the weekend.

Airbus exceeds 2015 aircraft delivery targets Olusegun Koiki

uropean aircraft manufacturer, Airbus, exceeded its target for 2015, achieving a new record of 635 aircraft deliveries for 85 customers of which 10 were new. The deliveries comprise; 491 A320 family aircraft; 103 A330s; 27 A380s; and 14 A350 XWBs. The company also achieved 1,036 net orders from 53 customers (of which eight are new), comprising 897 single-aisle aircraft and 139 wide bodies. At 2015 year-end the overall backlog had climbed to a new industry record of 6,787 aircraft valued at US$996.3 billion at list prices. The aircraft manufacturer has also announced an increased the average list prices of its aircraft by 1.1 per cent across the product line. The new pricing is effective from January 1st 2016. The 1.1 per cent price increase has been calculated according to Airbus’ standard escalation formula over the January 2015 to January 2016 period and takes into account the drop in materials and commodities prices. Airbus President, Fabrice Brégier said on the feat achieved that “this commercial and industrial performance unequivocally proves that global demand for our aircraft has remained resilient. “In 2015 Airbus has also laid firm foundations for the future, increasing the capability and variety of the aircraft which we can offer to our customers”, he added.

Overall, 2015 has been a year of solid and wide-ranging Airbus accomplishments. For example, the A320neo was certified by the aviation authorities on both sides of the Atlantic just five years after its launch. In addition, Airbus delivered 14 A350s – making good its pledge to the airlines who are now benefitting from the world’s most efficient and advanced airliner. Important progress was also made on the A350 programme’s next variant, the A350-1000 – whose major components and structures are now taking shape across various production sites.

Likewise, parts are now in production for the first A330neo – with the machining of its first engine pylon and centre wing-box components. In addition, there has been good news for the flagship A380, 10 years after its first flight, with the programme breaking-even for the first time. Meanwhile, on its new pricing on modern aircraft, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers, John Leahy said that the company’s new 2016 price increase reflects the strong appetite from customers around the globe for Airbus’ comprehensive, modern and innovative product range.

Oil Prices Stopped Falling at $40 a Barrel for Chinese Consumers

or consumers in China, the benefit of oil’s crash stops at $40 a barrel.

That’s because the retail price of fuels such as gasoline won’t be cut in line with crude as long as it trades below that level, according to the country’s top economic planner. The policy is aimed at curbing consumption, cutting pollution and securing supply, the National Development and Reform Commission said when it unveiled the plan last week. Retail fuel prices across China are regularly adjusted to reflect crude’s fluctuations. While this mechanism is officially still in place, the government of President Xi Jinping has suspended

further cuts. Here’s a look at the impact inside the world’s second-biggest oil user while Brent, a global benchmark, has already fallen below $30: “One thing is for sure, consumers are the biggest losers,” Li Li, an analyst with ICIS-China, a Shanghai-based commodities researcher said by phone. “They are basically subsidizing oil companies.” Even before the new price floor, Chinese consumers were already missing out on some of benefits of cheaper fuel from crude’s collapse. The country began raising consumption taxes in late 2014, meaning prices at the pump haven’t fallen as fast as oil.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Business News

PR practitioner tasks Lai Mohammed on best practices  David Audu

ormer president of the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria, PRCAN, Mr. Chidi Nwakanma, has tasked the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mhammed, to emulate world best practices by urging government agencies to engage professional public relations practitioners in communicating and disseminating public information.  Nwakanma who is also the Managing Director of Blueflower Communications spoke with National Mirror in Lagos on Monday. He said Mohammed who had practised public relations on both the client and agency side for many years has a clear grasp of PR issues, and therefore, he is expected to bring these experiences to bear in discharging his functions to Nigerians and also to his professional colleagues.

He said that engagement of external PR counsel by government institutions has emerged globally as part of best practice. “It enables government to benefit from professionalism in communication. Government engages persons who bring a detached, clinical perspective, experience of dealing with communication issues, insights from research and exposure to best practice and production values.  “They do messaging based on proper audience segmentation and analysis, choose channels that best fit the message. Audience specific messaging is one of the attributes and strengths of public relations, and it comes to play when professionals work on campaigns, he explained.  The communication expert explained that government remained a serious business, and therefore governments at federal, state, and local levels should emulate best practice in

citizen communication and engagement in the modern world with its various platforms and stakeholders.  Nwakanma expressed optimism that the minister of information would try to organise government communication in such a manner as to involve

stakeholder engagement.  “He would look at Nigeria from the handle of the six geopolitical zones, a ready segmentation, and organise to have various agencies serve in each of the zones to provde Government communication. We hope he would do a lot of listening.

“In communication, listening is even more important than talking. The Public Relations RACE model is organised in such a manner that research, R, informs action, A, before communication, C, and another round of listerning in Evaluation, E.”, he added

L-R: Head, Finance, Propertygate Development and Investment Plc, Mr. Vitalis Anieze; Managing Director, Mr. Adetokunbo Ajayi; and Chief Executive Officer, Sofunix Investment and Communications Limited, Mr. Sola Oni, during an interactive session on Propertygate Real Estate Advisory Services in Lagos recently

CIS, UK Institute sign Membership MoU  Minister lauds NEITI’s transparency

he Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) has made history with the signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with its counterpart in the United Kingdom, the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI). The MOU , a strategic move to forge a strong relationship between the two leading institutions that train global finance and investment professionals is expected to become operational any moment from now.  Besides, plan is underway to hold a strategic forum where the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of stockbroking companies in Nigeria and members of CISI in London and Nigeria would interact for mutual benefits. By the MOU, the CIS shall mobilize its members under special arrangement to become CISI members with attendant benefits and vice versa, the Institute shall collaborate with CISI to organize and execute on-line continuing development programme (CPD) for its members in Nigeria and both parties shall develop specialized professional training for their members. Also, CIS shall collaborate with its U.K. counterpart to develop specialized professional training for its members and students resident in Nigeria through development of courses and programmes in Securities and Investment and other related subjects .

The MOU provides for collaboration of both Institutes to develop a course on Integrity, Ethics and Professionalism as part of on-going requirements for the membership of CIS among others. Commenting on the MOU, the Acting President, CIS, Mr Oluwaseyi Abe described it as a welcome development capable of of moving the Institute to a greater height. Abe expressed optimism that the MOU would be mutually beneficial to both Institutes.

drive in extractive industry  AYO ESAN

he Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has lauded the supports of the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives, NEITI to the ministry’s drive to generate more revenue.

The Minister stated this when the Acting Executive Secretary of Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Dr Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, presented a report by the organisation to him on Monday in Abuja.  Fayemi assured the NEITI boss of the ministry’s preparedness to develop a strate-

US Treasury urged to act on EU Tax Ruling probes

uropean Union’s state aid investigations could lead to retroactive taxation on multinational enterprises and have an adverse impact on US-based companies, members of the US Senate Committee on Finance have warned. In their letter submitted to the US Secretary of the Treasury, Jacob Lew, on January 15, 2016, Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore), and Committee members Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said: “We are writing to you to express our strong concerns regarding the state aid investigations currently being conducted by the European Commission of several of its member states regarding tax rulings and advanced pricing arrangements provided to multinational businesses, most of them US firms.”

“In that regard, we urge Treasury to intensify its efforts to caution the Commission not to reach retroactive results that are inconsistent with internationally accepted standards and that the US views such results as a direct threat to its interests. We also ask that you consider, pursuant to the President’s powers under Internal Revenue Code section 891 (which would impose a double rate of tax on citizens and corporations of foreign countries engaging in discriminatory taxation), whether ‘corporations of the US are being subjected to discriminatory or extraterritorial taxes.’” The Commission in October 2015 concluded that Luxembourg’s tax ruling for Fiat Finance and the Netherlands’s ruling for Starbucks do not reflect economic reality such that they grant selective tax advantages to the two companies in breach of EU law.

It ordered the countries to recover from the companies amounts that should have been collected in tax revenue going back up to ten years. It is also investigating other tax rulings, including Ireland’s rulings for Apple and Luxembourg’s ruling for Amazon and McDonald’s. The letter continues: “We recognize that the Commission believes it is on solid ground in pursuing these cases and enforcing EU competition law against its member states. It alarms us, however, that the Commission is using a non-tax forum to target US firms essentially to force its member states to impose taxes, looking back as far as ten years, in a manner inconsistent with internationally accepted standards in place at the time. By all accounts, these cases have taken the member states, companies, and their advisors by surprise.”

gic engagement with the body in order to move the sector forward. He assured the NEITI boss of the ministry’s commitment to the coordination of activities of artisanal miners in its revenue drive.  “We are committed to capturing more accurately activities of the artisanal miners”, the minister said, adding that their activities cannot be overlooked as they constitute a huge percentage of operators in the sector.  Earlier the NEITI boss had made a presentation of the groups findings in the solid minerals sector, urging the ministry to make the minerals buying centres functional in the bid to coordinate the activities of  artisanal miners.  Ogbonaya Orji said that NEITI’s reports showed a good percentage of the artisanal miners don’t pay taxes, a development he said is having an adverse effect on revenue generation.  He also urged the ministry to build the capacity of Federal Mines Officers as well as providing them with working tools.  The minister and the NEITI boss agreed that a team comprising officials of the ministry and the group would review the report with a view to implementing it.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Commerce & Industry

Experts harp on entrepreneurship imperative for job creation As the country continues to contend with monstrous problem of rising unemployment rate year-on-year with thousands of youths graduating from one learning or the other, development analysts have identified entrepreneurship as the best of options open to government to tackle the menace to re-position the economy for sustainable growth. ABOLAJI ADEBAYO reports.

urrently, at the rate at which unemployment increases especially among the youths, experts sensed that the government may not be able to create the required jobs through public sector, as they decried the challenges faced by the public sector, which would have been the better option to create the jobs. They believed that higher number of jobs could only be created through entrepreneurship; hence, the quest for self employment, which has been trending in recent years, has once again been on high demand for economic growth. Available data presented the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, indicates that official unemployment rate was at a record level of 26.5 per cent in 2014 while it is estimated to hit 35 per cent in 4 years at the current growth rate. Unemployment is recorded to be highest amongst Nigerian youth with the unemployment put at 48 per cent for those aged 15- 24 and 28.4 per cent for those aged 25-34. Also, “Trading Economics, quoting National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, stated that unemployment rate in Nigeria increased to 8.20 in the second quarter of 2015 from 7.50 per cent in the first quarter of the same year. Experts have noted that the unemployment rate was growing too high and negatively impacting on the nation’s economy. This has prompted intensified campaign for self employment among the teeming Nigerian youths. While the existing enterprises are not developing to accommodate more wore employees due to various challenges in term of infrastructure, many other investors and would-be entrepreneurs especially the youths are afraid to start up new businesses. The non-availability of jobs is not due to the inability to create jobs but failure on the part of the government to create enabling environment for such jobs created by private entrepreneurs to thrive. Experts have identified the challenges such as skill and human capacity issues; hash business environment – infrastructure lapses, policy and regulatory shortcomings; access

Tailoring

Statistician General of Federation, Yemi Kale

Yusuf

TRADING ECONOMICS, QUOTING NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS, NBS, STATED THAT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN NIGERIA INCREASED TO 8.20 IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2015 FROM 7.50 PER CENT IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THE SAME YEAR and cost of funds; macroeconomic challenges including foreign exchange, interest rate and inflation; multiple taxation; inadequate incentives for entrepreneurial development among others. They believed that the job created in abundant if the obstacles to entrepreneurship in the country could be tackled head-on or at least reduced to the manageable level. While the government ceases to create new jobs, the corporate organisations also reduce their capacity intake rates due to the aforementioned challenges as many of them fold up in the face of the challenges, retrenching their workers to join the existing unemployment rate. With the rising challenge of getting a paid job, and corporate instability, many Nigerians are increasingly seeking alternatives.

However, experts believed that the entrepreneurs must be well equipped as many of the existing ones have been discovered to lack the skill. For instance, the Director General of Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Dr. Juliet Chukkas-Onaeko, said that lack of necessary skills among the youths to either start or sustain any kind of business. She added that that was the reason the agency has been embarking on various training programmes for the youths. She said that the agency has partnered with big private business organisations as well as institutes to equip the would-be entrepreneurs with the necessary skill while also helping them financially. For the creation of jobs, an agribusiness expert, Anga Sotonye proposed that the Federal Government should earmark a particular amount of money every year to empower about two million youths annually with N5 million each along agribusiness and agriculture value chains and other sectors such as Information and communication technology. According to him, at least 60 per cent of them would succeed and would be able to employ at least three additional persons. He said the multiplier effect would be more than the target of the government. He added that the government should not leave or send those who fail out of the business but verify the cause of their failure instead; retrain, reimburse and get them back into the business. He said that out of them, at least another 40 per cent would succeed. The Director General/CEO of Federal Institute of Industrial Research, FIIRO, Dr. (Mrs.) Gloria Elemo said that the research institutes in the best position to provide the required

equipment and machines as well as training. She also tasked government to partner with private organised sector, OPS, in the training aspect based on their experiences. The Head, Public Relations and Membership services of Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises,Mr. Nerus Ekezie, also emphasised the need for a continual engagement of youths in business activities in every sector and in agribusiness in particular. Ekezie, who bemoaned the low level of youth engagement in paid employment, said that the situation posited a danger for the growth of the economy of the country. In his position for the achievement of the job-creation scheme, he said that the only thing left is to re-orientate the youths and empower them economically as Nigeria seems to be losing direction on what to do with the potential of its youths to secure a better Nigeria tomorrow. He believed that the government could not create one million on an average annually let alone 300 million jobs without encouraging self-employment. He said: “If we fail to put our youths on the right path, engage them in business, empower them financially, we would be making a grave mistake of securing a great economic nation. “The orientation must start from the school, teach them the rudiments of business and how to manufacture, after their youth service, the government has to set them up in their areas of business learning and monitor them to grow to the point of manufacturing. “At least, everybody must know one aspect of agriculture or agribusiness and should be able to produce at least one thing for the nation.” Meanwhile, Ekezie advised the youths to get the required knowledge and proper training of the business or artisan first and then look for finance through government intervention, while also advising the government to fully involve business organisations like NASME and others in its programmes. According to the Director General of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Muda Yusuf, millions of job could be created if proper infrastructure and policies are put in place. He said that both Federal Government and State Governments should strengthen their enterprise development initiatives such as promoting partnership and collaboration between the public and private sector; providing innovative credit schemes; and promoting the teaching of entrepreneurial skills in schools and colleges. He added: “They should provide vocational skills and income-generation opportunities for the marginalised, such as women, people with disabilities and the unemployed, educate informal traders and community members to enhance their business management skills and financial literacy, and create platforms for effective dispute resolution.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

EnergyWeek Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Pump price: IPMAN links compliance to produce availability 36

Fuel Subsidy: NGO tells FG to look beyond low oil prices 35

Experts harp on entrepreneurship imperative for job creation 32

Indigenous operators face tougher times as oil prices slide Since last year, it has not been easy for indigenous operators in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, especially service providers who depend on the majors for contracts. But UDEME AKPAN reports that it is getting tougher for them and others as the prices of crude oil grades, including the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, basket of 13 crudes, has been maintaining slide over the months in the global market.

ith crude oil prices hitting the roofs at over $100 in 2014, the International Oil Companies, IOCs were able, to a great extent embarked on many projects and programmes in not only Nigeria but also other parts of the world. This culminated in increased exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas. The development also culminated in increased patronage of indigenous service providers that provide specialised products and services to the major operators. Take Oando Energy Services, OES as an example. The company had completed the refurbishing of and upgrading a state-of-the-art swamp rig christened ‘OES RESPECT’ in readiness for drilling operations. The Chief Executive Officer, Oando Group Plc. Mr. Omamofe Boyo had maintained that the company aspired to see itself as a continuous beacon in showcasing proper Nigerian Content Development and institution in Nigeria. He had hinted that OES RESPECT is one of the four rigs in its kitty as three others are currently being deployed for Shell and Agip JV operations in swamp locations. Oando was not alone. Vandrezzer Energy Services Limited had completed the construction of a first-of-its-kind Wellhead Monopod Jacket in her IML90 Field Development Project which comprises the engineering designing,

fabrication, construction and installation of a wellhead platform complete with jackets and a concrete-coated pipeline for some offshore operations. The Managing Director of the company, Mr. Joe Udofia had remarked that, “I must promptly ascribe our astronomical growth to the Nigerian Content Development Initiative as a Federal Government policy established through the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to positively reposition our indigenous companies among which Vandrezzer is a leading brand. He indicated that, “The Initiative has been proven as practicable and effective in deed and I must enjoin you all to understand and commend Vandrezzer’s Consistent Compliance to the Nigerian Content Development

Initiative. Right from our inception, we have been a reputable beneficiary of the initiative when we started operations over 5 years ago operating then as a subcontractor to Nigeria’s foremost foreign direct investor, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, SPDC. Udofia had maintained that: “I recall vividly how we were selected by SPDC in 2009 to attend the Shell/UKTI Engagement Programme held in London as part of her commitment towards the development of her promising indigenous contractors. This opportunity and exposure proved to be a key stride in our growth profile and spurred us on towards greater achievements. I seize this opportunity to say a big thank you to SPDC for her commitment to the development of indigenous contractors;

Investigations showed that the continued drop in oil prices have further reduced the capacities of the

IOCs and others

to execute projects, and by extension

patronise indigenous services providers.

Consequently, the services providers have further slashed their labour force, thus

most of all for the opportunity and for believing in Vandrezzer.” These and other strides had impacted positively on the nation’s economy during the period. In fact, the implementation of the Nigerian Content Act by the Federal Government had attracted $5billion worth of investments into the economy and created about 38,000 jobs, since 2009. It is against this backdrop that many stakeholders had called for more support for local content development as a strategy for sustainable development of the nation’s economy. Unfortunately, the expected growth has continued to drop following the decline in crude oil prices which affect the capacities of the IOCs and others to fund major projects and programmes. For instance, the price of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC daily basket stood at $25.00 per barrel Thursday, 14 January 2016, compared with $25.69 the previous day, according to OPEC Secretariat calculations. The new OPEC Reference Basket of Crudes (ORB) is made up of the following: Saharan Blend (Algeria), Girassol (Angola), Oriente (Ecuador), Minas (Indonesia), Iran Heavy (Islamic Republic of Iran), Basra Light (Iraq), Ku-

worsening the state of unemployment in the nation

CONTINUED ON PAGE 34

Energy Week

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Indigenous operators face tougher times as oil prices slide CONTINUED FROM PAGE 33

wait Export (Kuwait), Es Sider (Libya), Bonny Light (Nigeria), Qatar Marine (Qatar), Arab Light (Saudi Arabia), Murban (UAE) and Merey (Venezuela). A few days ago, Baker Hughes Incorporated put the international rig count for December 2015 at 1,095, down 14 from the 1,109 counted in November 2015, and down 218 from the 1,313 counted in December 2014. The international offshore rig count for December 2015 was 250, down 9 from the 259 counted in November 2015, and down 88 from the 338 counted in December 2014. The average U.S. rig count for December 2015 was 714, down 46 from the 760 counted in November 2015, and down 1,168 from the 1,882 counted in December 2014. The average Canadian rig count for December 2015 was 160, down 18 from the 178 counted in November 2015, and down 215 from the 375 counted in December 2014. The worldwide rig count for December 2015 was 1,969, down 78 from the 2,047 counted in November 2015, and down 1,601 from the 3,570 counted in December 2014. Investigations showed that the continued drop in oil prices have further reduced the capacities of the IOCs and others to execute projects, and by extension patronise indigenous services providers. Consequently, the service providers have further slashed their labour force, thus worsening the state of unemployment in the nation. “There is nothing we can do than to retrench workers because we don’t have much for them to do anymore like in the past. So, instead of keeping them idle in offices without work and salaries, it makes economic sense to let them go home until when we have much do,” a CEO who preferred not to be name confirmed in a telephone interview. Despite the challenges that stare indigenous operators in the face, some stakeholders seemed determined to tackle them. One of them is the Nigerian Local Content Development board, NCDMB. The Executive Secretary of the board, Mr. Denzil Kentebe maintained that during the past year stakeholders were confronted with a major challenge of drop in price of oil. He noted that consequently, contracts were renegotiated downwards, new projects were not being approved and the only major EPC project (BSWA) is yet to achieve Final Investment Decision (FID). “We however rose to the challenge by remaining focused and ensuring that local content is not compromised but viewed as a necessary development imperative. As we enter 2016 and so long as the price of oil remains low, our challenge will be to device strategies that will accommodate local content and at the same time ensure viability and profitability of new projects.

Kachukwu

El Badri

We will continue to engage the IOC’s and partner with them in this regard. The Board will continue implementation of its Capacity Development Initiatives (CDIs), to create a robust local supply chain that will meet the human and material requirements of the industry within acceptable cost, schedule and without compromising safety, environment and quality.” “Manufacturing and infrastructure development: We are implementing several initiatives to domicile manufacturing activities, to achieve in-country value addition. Pipemill Scheme: We achieved growth in local Pipemill manufacturing from 100,000Mt/annum in 2010 to 270,000Mt/annum today. Our effort to develop Polaku Pipemill and the efforts of 3rd party investors will be aggressively pursued in 2016, to achieve 600,000Mt/annum local capacity by 2017 (compared to annual demand estimate of 800,000Mt/annum). Nigeria Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGaPS): We are establishing oil and gas parks to support service providers interested in manufacturing activities. We have acquired suitable land in three (3) states- Imo, Bayelsa and Cross River states; and have commenced training of SMEs for the scheme. We will commence physical construction within 2016, after conclusion of ongoing EIA studies. When fully established, the oil and gas parks will serve as hubs for

equipment manufacturing and services, community entrepreneurs will be engaged and fully integrated into the oil and gas supply chain while thousands of jobs will be created directly and indirectly.” “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Cylinder Manufacturing Initiative: We are promoting the local manufacture of LPG cylinders in response to the policy thrust of Government to encourage use of cooking gas. We have identified prospective investors; and in partnership with Bank of Industry (BOI), we will provide funding support to these investors. Our target is to increase local manufacturing capacity from 400,000 units today to 2 million units per annum by 2017. Human Capital & Technology Development: Our initiatives aim to close skill gaps, create employment opportunities, develop entrepreneurs and domicile training and research activities in-country. Project Based Training: We achieved about 1 million man-hours of project based training in 2015 covering engineering, project management, instrumentation & controls etc. These trainings will continue to be monitored to ensure that candidates derive maximum On the Job training exposure,” he added. However, the Chairman of International Energy Services Limited, Dr. Diran Fawibe indicated that the prolonged era of low crude oil prices

The President should work towards boosting investment in the oil and gas industry through the instrumentality of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB.

He should seek to establish proper linkage between the petroleum industry and other sectors of the nation’s economy

would continue to impact negatively on local content development. “From all indications, the situation may persist for a long time. In fact, prices can drop further as Iran is expected to pump more oil to the market. It should also be noted that members of OPEC have not yet decided to cut supplies because they know that other suppliers also have capacities to influence the market. The development should compel us to diversify the nation’s economy as soon as possible. We have gotten to a point where we cannot afford to depend on mainly crude oil exports. We need to develop other resources, including natural gas, solid minerals and agricultural potentials. A time has come for us to look beyond oil and gas.” “The message I have for the administration is to diversify the nation’s oil-dependent economy as soon as possible. Crude oil and natural gas have been depended upon to generate the foreign exchange for too long at great risk. In fact, since the 1970s, petroleum has become a major source of foreign exchange. We celebrate when prices rise. We also mourn when prices crash. It is too risky to place our existence on petroleum. The President should work towards boosting investment in the oil and gas industry through the instrumentality of Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. He should seek to establish proper linkage between the petroleum industry and other sectors of the nation’s economy. For instance, the administration should ensure adequate gas is produced and supplied to generate power. Other sources of energy resources should also be developed, especially as these would go a long way to boosting electricity supply in many parts of the nation,” he added.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Energy Week

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Fuel Subsidy: NGO tells FG to look beyond low oil prices STORIES: UDEME AKPAN

he Spaces for Change has tasked the Federal Government to look beyond the present era of low crude oil price in finding lasting solutions to challenges in the downstream sector of the petroleum industry. The Executive Director of the organisation, Mrs. Victoria Ohaeri indicated that the pegging of the new fuel price at N86. 50 have not completely solved problems in the sector. She maintained that the government would still need to intervene should prices of crude oil rise again in the international market. “If price of oil at the international market increase above $35, and maybe up to $100 as experienced last year, this would again precipitate fluctuation in retail prices and necessitate a review of the subsidy regime.” “Government has continued to fix prices because the downstream market is not deregulated. Had that been done, it wouldn’t be the government that would be fixing prices.” “Rather, retailer would sell at their own prices. Price controls are still in place, but with allowed margins that enable marketers to make profits within agreed limits. So, Nigerians are waiting on the government to come up with a clear policy on subsidy that will block wastages and yield significant social and economic benefits for all Nigerians,” she added. She maintained that the latest review of the PPPRA template shows that the landing cost of pms is N70.80 while the distribution margins is N14.30 totaling N85.10k.

Tank farm

The executive director noted that the addition of the recovery charge of N1.40k brings the retail price down to N86.50kk compared to the previous N87 pump price. She maintained that it is evident from this review that subsidy has been extinguished somewhat painlessly from the fuel pricing regime. Ohaeri indicated that subsidy reflects the differential paid to marketers when the retail cost is less than the sum of total cost including under/over recovery. She noted that because this differential no longer exists, there is no subsidy on pms, and as such relieves the government of the obligation to pay subsidy. Ohaeri observed that this review is as a direct result of market forces and declining

oil prices in the international market and not necessarily informed by any government intervention. The national president of Oil and Gas Service Providers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Colman Obasi had maintained that it could have been better for PPPRA to present complete facts and figures behind the new fuel price to the public in order to enhance acceptance. Obasi had said the need to know and be carried along becomes even more imperative under a democratic government like the present President Buhari-led administration. He said the cooperation of PPPRA and other agencies are necessary to ensure its members and others are well-enlightened on the subject.

IPMAN refutes report on nationwide strike

he Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN has debunked reports that some of its members have threatened to embark on nation-wide strike over perceived imbalance in the distribution of petroleum products to marketers. This is contained in a statement issued at the weekend by Mike Osatuyi, the National Operations Controller of IPMAN and made available to newsmen in Lagos that ``IPMAN has not given any ultimatum om impending strike’’. Osatuyi said that the association informed that some marketers who were not members of IPMAN are mis-leading the general public over IPMAN intention to embark on nation-wide strike which was false. According to him, our attention has

been drew to a media briefying on AIT by some pocket marketers parading themselves as IPMAN members, calling for nationwide strike over petroleum product sharing formular. ``We, the national body of the union is not planning to embark on any strike, because we don’t have any issues with the government whatsoever. I appeal to Nigerians and all independent marketers to go ahead with their normal business and avoid creating panic buying in the society,” he said. He lauded the leadership of NNPC over petroleum distribution formular, adding that IPMAN had not been anyway slighted in the present sharing and distribution formula. ``Independent marketers were given the opportunity to buy products at gov-

ernment approved ex-depot price which enable us sell at government approved pump price of N86.50 per litre. Osatuyi commended NNPC over petrol intervention scheme given to marketers to argument distribution, urging government to make the product available to marketers. He commended the steps taken by President Muhammadu Buhari to reposition the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for greater efficiency. He said that the measures inspire hope and confidence in the future of the nation. The IPMAN operations controller applauded Dr Ibe Kachikwu, `a renowned oil industry expert with the needed global exposure, competence and integrity as Group Managing Director (GMD) of NNPC.

Commodity

Units

Price

Change

% Change

Time(ET)

Crude Oil (WTI)

USD/bbl.

29.29

-0.13

-0.44%

08:44:04

Crude Oil (Brent)

USD/bbl.

28.99

+0.05

+0.17%

08:44:58

TOCOM Crude Oil

JPY/kl

20,470.00

+350.00

+1.74%

08:44:45

NYMEX Natural Gas

USD/MMBtu

2.09

-0.01

-0.67%

08:43:48

Source: Bloomberg as at January 18, 2016

He said it was important for all IPMAN members to show-case what government was doing about special intervention petrol supply to marketers which came to stations at no extra cost. According to him, the Federal Government, through NNPC/PPMC, should be lauded for these special schemes. “The only way to ensure total eradication of queues in the country is when this intervention of petrol supply is sustainable. Osatuyi, however, urged NNPC/PPMC to ensure sustainability of the product so that marketers could sell at approved price of N86.50 per litre. He said the commitment of government in this regard was a clear demonstration of its readiness to partner with IPMAN on effective fuel distribution. It will be recalled that some group who identified themselves as IPMAN members on Friday, December 15 issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to regularise the present formula or risk stoppage of operations.

Energy Week

Electricity operators rally to enhance service quality CHIDI UGWU ABUJA

lectricity operators in the country have convened their first monthly meeting where effective ways for increased quality service was deliberated upon. In a communique by Hakeem Bello, the Special Assistant on Communications to the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, issued after the meeting which held in Abuja the operators agreed to deliver quality service to their customers through metering provisions, among other things. According to the communiqué, operators agreed that customers, who are not metered, would be responsible for the last undisputed bill. “The industry operators agreed to an aggressive and sustained roll out of meters to ensure that consumers pay only for what they consume. Discos agreed to patronise genuine local meter manufacturers that meet required standards. The industry operators agreed that customers, who are not metered will be held accountable for the last undisputed bill,” the communiqué reads in part. The communiqué added that participants discussed transmission constraints affecting improved supply, particularly as gas supply improves. “All issues concerning TCN (Transmission Company of Nigeria) will be forwarded to it, and it is expected that TCN will brief the meeting at the next sitting. Stakeholders agreed to commit more time and attention to monitoring the generation assets under their ownership. “NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission) is to review the concerns raised on embedded generation as it concerns ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ agreements and present at the next meeting. It was decided that operators’ safety performance will be tracked, and announced at the regular meetings,” it added. The issue of gas requirement and its constraints were also brought before the front burner. “Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), Gas Aggregating Company of Nigeria (GACN) and Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), led by the Minister of State of Petroleum Resources Dr. Ibe Kachikwu shared information on significant gas projects that will improve gas supply, which are scheduled for completion in Q2 of 2016. They also highlighted some of the challenges, especially related to payment and security affecting delivery of gas to the power sector,” it read. On the issues of collection, payment and debts, the communiqué read: “Participants resolved that operators in the power industry should adopt innovative and creative strategies to deal with issues of vandalism and reluctance of consumers to pay for power consumed and for maintenance of machinery.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Pump price: IPMAN links compliance to product availability CHIDI OGWU ABUJA

he factional President of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo has said if the war for enforcement of new pump price of N86.50 for independent marketers and N86 for the NNPC retail stations respectively must be won, government must ensure availability of product in all nook and crannies of the country. Okoronkwo, who made the suggestion in an exclusive interview with National Mirror in Abuja, said when petrol is available in all parts of the country, dealers would be forced to comply, stressing that market forces would naturally compelled dealers to comply with the new pump price. “The issue of compliance has to do with availability because the moment this product is everywhere all dealers will be forced to comply. In demand and supply the price is what drives the market. If

Fuel tanker

you are selling N80 and the other man is selling N70 people will naturally go the man that is selling N70 because they will now look at the comparative advantage” he said. He assured that IPMAN through various program is committed to moving Nigeria’s economy forward, urging Nigerians to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and align themselves to the policies of government. According to him, if properly followed, the price modulation as introduced by the NNPC for the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will unleash lots of economic benefits to the country, stressing that the policy would opened up the industry for investments. He noted the idea that private investors with adequate capacity to build refineries can operate alongside the existing government owned refineries is a very big opportunities for investors. According to recent reports, Petroleum Product Marketers in Imo blamed the hike in the pump

price of petrol across the state on the lapses from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Chief Christopher Amadi, Chairman, Association of Imo State Petroleum Marketers/Dealers, made this known in an interview with journalists in Owerri at the weekend. Amadi said that the increase in the pump price of petrol in Imo was caused by the inability of the NNPC to dispense the product from its Enugu, Aba, Markudi and Port Harcourt depots. According to reports, aside from NNPC filling station on OnitshaOwerri Road, every other stations sell the product between N130 and N150 per litre as against the official price of N86.50 per litre. He told journalists that the dealers in the state were finding it difficult to source the product. “As I am talking with you, no marketer in Imo has loaded the product at the government-approved price since the new price regime by the government. “All the products we sell are sourced from private tank farms and the owners sell above the government’s rate. “Yet they would force you to agree that the product was sold to you at the government-approved rate. “Security agencies and the media can investigate what I am saying because our position on this matter is verifiable.’’ Amadi, who decried the difficulty faced by the dealers in sourcing the products, regretted the

condemnation of the marketers by the public. “There is no product at the Aba, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Markudi depots. “These are the sources from where we should get products to sell to the people in Imo and other South-East states,’’ he said. The chairman said that its members had been directed to, henceforth, stop buying the product above the government-approved price from the private tank farms. “Our position is that we do not want to be seen as those disobeying government’s directive on the sale of the product. “We are calling on government to do all in its powers to ensure availability of petrol. “We are tired of being called bad names because we want to ensure that Imo people do not suffer petrol scarcity unduly,’’ Amadi said. He said that it was wrong for government to expect marketers to sell at the new pump price, products they bought at the old rates. “What government should do to ensure compliance to the new price regime is to flood the market with the product at the new official price. “Once there is saturation of the market with the product at the new approved price, certainly, marketers will switch over to the new pump price of N86.50 per litre,” he said Meanwhile, Owners of petrol stations across major towns in Benue have defied government directive to sell petrol at the new pump price of N86.50k per lire. Investigation showed that major and independent marketers in Makurdi were selling the product at between N120 and N130 per litre.

NCDBM assures on improved local content drive

he management of the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB looks towards to a major reorganisation this year. The reorganization, involving mainly the posting of personnel to new positions is aimed at ensuring that the staff work where they are best suited. The Executive Secretary of the organisation, Mr. Denzil Kentebe indicated that: “I intend to make some rotational changes in the management which is aimed at giving an opportunity for those involved to be well rounded in all areas of our mandate. This will of course be done with consideration for competence and job skills.” “Our Headquarters Building Project has been awarded; the contractor has moved to site and fully mobilized. We look forward to a befitting 17 storey office complex by Q2 2018.” “We are aggressively enhancing

our ICT capabilities at the Headquarters and zonal offices and also upgrading the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Joint Qualification System (NOGICJQS) platform. These efforts will increase our efficiency level across board and will support our quest to interface effectively with stakeholders through various technology solutions. In 2016 we will leverage ICT in categorization of vendors, processing of tender documents, processing of certificates (CoA, NCEC, EQ, etc.) while our compliance monitoring activities will also be driven by ICT. All these are intended to make the Board more efficient, reduce contract processing time to the 6 months target of HMS (PS) and reduce our cost of Operations,” he added. He said that in line with Government directive that all Biometric platforms should beharmonised, the management will approach relevant agencies of Government on modalities for harmonising our EQ Biometrics Data Center and ensure compliance. Kentebe maintained that at this point I will like to appreciate the entire execu-

tives and members of PENGASSAN. ment of goods and services going He maintained that through con- forward.” structive engagement NCDMB has re“Communication of Board acsolved a few burning staff issues such tivities is a key component of our loas promotion arrears, placements, cal content implementation frameleave of absence, Collective Bargaining work. We will launch a monthly Agreement etc. business brief to reach out to key The Executive Secretary said that stakeholders on our activities. The the organisation is at the verge of re- monthly brief will have online and solving the Pension remittance issues print versions,” he added. (to secure our retirement). He said that the union has shown undeniable passion for improving the welfare of its members and management will count on the union to sustain its collaborative approach to unionism. “I thank them once again for their sacrifice and also appreciate the 10 secondees that agreed to stay back and continue working with us to stabilise the Board. We are all aware of the economic challenges facing our country and the overarching policy of Government to reduce waste. It calls for prudent management of resources and overhaul of our procurement system, to ensure value for money in procure- Kentebe

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

From The Civil Service Fayemi adopts NEITI recommendations on solid minerals Chidi Ugwu, Abuja

he Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said the findings and recommendations of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) will be integrated into the policy reform agenda being developed for the solid minerals sector. Receiving the NEITI management, Fayemi described NEITI’s visit as timely and commended the quality of NEITI reports on the extractive industries. He disclosed that some of NEITI’s recommendations were already part of the action plan of the ministry. He welcomed NEITI’s pledge to work with his ministry and gave the assurance that NEITI’s findings and recommendations would be integrated in the reforms of the sector to be unveiled soon.

L-R: Spokesperson, Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC), Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, with acting EFCC chairman, Mr. Ibrahim Magu, during an interaction with journalists, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA The Acting Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, called on the Solid Mineral Ministry to commence a comprehensive programme for the mining industry in the face of the collapse of oil prices.

Orji explained that from the scoping study conducted and series of independent oil reports by NEITI, the solid minerals sector required a robust fiscal regime built on comprehensive reform to expand the revenue generation base

for the nation. The Acting Executive Secretary explained that from NEITI reports “the sector reforms should include periodic review of royalty rates to conform with market prices encouraging companies to de-

clare accurately what they earn for accurate tax computation, as well as a progressive policy approach that guarantees legitimacy to artisanal miners that dominate the sector. He identified artisanal miners whose activities attract

We’re not holding N23.5m for critically injured ‘corpers’ –NYSC Joel Ajayi Abuja

he National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), yesterday, denied the allegation that its leadership had sat on N23.5million donation to critically injured ex-corps members, describing the report as mischievous. The money was donated to the youths under the NYSC Hope Alive initiative, a Public/Private sector Partnership (PPP) aimed at bringing succour to corps members

who suffer permanent disability during service. At the 2014 NYSC President’s Honour Award, the Ibeto Group and the then Governor Godswill Akpabio promised N5 million each, while Heritage Bank pledged the beneficiaries N1.5 million each, bringing all the donations to N23.5 million. The scheme explained that out of the three organisations that promised to give them monetary donation, only the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio,

NPC seeks EU support over regular migration surveys

P.38

fulfilled his promise of N5m to the nine injured corps members. NYSC maintained that the money had been shared among the nine ex-corps members, adding that Nigerians could confirm from other groups yet to fulfill their promises. A statement by the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relation, Mrs. Abosede Aderibigbe, in Abuja said the source of the report was questionable, as the allegation was deliberately aimed at tarnishing the image of

NYSC. She further said that the writer of the report failed to cross check information and seek NYSC’s side of the story to ensure balance report. Aderibigbe recalled that the nine ex-corps members, on the part of the federal government, were promised automatic employment and it had been fulfilled. According to her, “the whole issues regarding the Hope Alive Programme of the NYSC and the nine critically injured

C’River to produce 500 metric tonnes of cocoa annually

P.39

ex-corps members were public matters, therefore, there is no way somebody or NYSC will sit on their money.” The Director-General of the NYSC, Brig. Gen. Johnson Olawunmi, explained that in the past, youth corps members, who sustained injuries leading to permanent disabilities during their service were subjected to post-service emotional and psychological trauma as they were neglected by the same society they were mobilised to serve.

zero revenues to government at the moment as major sources of revenue loss in the sector.” Orji gave the assurance that NEITI is prepared to work with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development especially in the sharing of information and data to support the reforms. He lamented that a situation where the solid minerals sector with all its potentials generated only N113 billion to the government coffers between 2007 and 2012 was not good enough. From the NEITI reports presented to the minister at the meeting, “Solid Minerals contributed only N8 billion in 2007, N9.5 billion in 2008 and N19 billion in 2009. A further breakdown also shows that the sector contributed N17.4 billion to the government receipt in 2010, N26.9 billion in 2011 and N31.5 billion in 2012 amounting to about N113 billion.” The Acting Executive Secretary also expressed concern that the Solid Minerals contribution to the GDP was only 0.6% in 2012 as against 14% by the oil and gas industry. He underlined the urgent need to shift attention from the country’s dependence on oil to the solid minerals. Orji used the forum to formerly present copies of the NEITI reports to the minister. Fayemi received the NEITI management with the Minister of State, Bawa Buhari; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Musa Fuktur Istafanus and other top management staff of the ministry.

Minister lists causes of NIPOST setback

P.39

Civil Service

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

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NPC seeks EU support over regular migration surveys Joel Ajayi, Abuja

s part of efforts at fulfilling its mandate towards providing demographic data for national planning, especially in the area of migration management, the National Population Commission (NPC), has called for the support of the European Union. NPC chief, Eze Duruiheoma, on Monday in Abuja, made this appeal during a courtesy visit of the EU delegation to the commission on identification and formulation of ways of promoting better management of

migration in Nigeria. He maintained that the identification and formulation of a migration project in the country would enhance effective management of Nigeria’s migration profile in a way consistent with sustainable development. Duruiheoma said: “The demographic profile of any country is therefore not complete without the migration profile because the volume and partner of migration have decisive implication on the size, composition and distribution of population. “Commission would

require the Union’s support in conducting migration surveys in view of the dynamic pattern of migration which had to be captured regularly for the data to be useful for planning purposes. “So, this becomes imperative in view

of the fact that the pattern of migration changes over the time and this has to be captured regularly for data to be useful for planning purposes.” The NPC boss also sought the assistance of the body in the processing and dissemi-

nation of migration as well as capacity training of members of staff in migration data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination. On his part, the representative of the EU delegation, Mr. Nwolisa Eloka, who re-

sponded on behalf of the organisation said the visit was aimed at identifying the areas Nigerian government would need the assistance of his organisation, especially with regards to migration and mortality.

IPCR, NIHOTOUR sign MoU to promote peace education Joel Ajayi, Abuja

n its determination towards diversifying the economy through maximisation of the hospitality and tourism industry, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) and the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) have joined forces to promote peace education across the country. The partnership, it is believed, would go a long way to encourage and promote peace and harmony for national unity. While speaking at a joint meeting held at the IPCR complex during the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding MoU at the weekend, in Abuja, IPCR Assistant Director for Democracy and Development Studies, Ms. Grace Awodu, leading in the deliberations for the actualisation of the peace education venture, stated that detailed plan was already being worked out by the two institutes for the hosting of a National Summit

on Peace and Tourism in the country. On her own part, NIHOTOUR Head of Travel and Tourism Studies, Mrs. Blessing Okafor, maintained that the partnership was designed for the inculcation of peace education in the training curriculum of NIHOTOUR at designated centres in Nigeria. According to her, the peace education would take the form of General Studies as compulsory subject for the certificate, diploma, and postgraduate courses of NIHOTOUR being run at its training campuses of Abuja, Kaduna, Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Benin, Oshogbo, Bauchi, and Makurdi. She opined that the institute’s greatest desire of the institute was to be able to train and expose more Nigerians towards the industry taste here in Nigeria. The courses are on air operations, running of tourism facilities, hotels, restaurants, resorts, baking confectionary amongst other.

Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Muhammed Sidi (left), welcoming the leader of a three-man Turkish delegation, Mr. Yusuf Selcuk, during their visit to discuss issues regarding humanitarian and aid development at NEMA headquarters, in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Agency decries proliferation of small arms AdeolaTukuru, Abuja

he Director General, National Task Force (NATFORCE), Chief Emmanuel Okereke, has raised the alarm over increasing proliferation of small arms in the country. Okereke, during the just concluded National Executive Council meeting of the organisation, in Abuja, said the meeting was to check illegal importation of goods and light weapons.

He explained that some of the small arms were also smuggled into the country, thereby frustrating federal government’s efforts to address insurgency. Okereke said, “NATFORCE in league with other government agencies to stem the tide of illegal importation of goods, small and light weapons, including ammunition into country to the corporate existence of Nigeria, is more than ever determined to checkmate unscrupu-

lous individuals, who exploit the system and large-stretch the border to bring in hundreds of small arms and ammunition.” Speaking on the popular arms scandal, he added that Nigerians should expect prosecution of more influential personalities. He said the determination of President Muhammadu Buhari to truly reposition the country should be widely supported. However, he stated that Buhari was not

fighting selective anti-corruption war as believed in some quarters. Okereke further established link between small arms, illegal importation of goods and corruption. “I can tell you trillions of money have been returned, and that is because of this anti-corruption campaign. I believe in plea bargain but whoever is found guilty of these corruption scandal should be duly prosecuted,” he added.

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Civil Service 39

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

C’River to produce 500 metric tonnes of cocoa annually Richard Ndoma, Calabar

he government of Cross River State has concluded arrangement to step up its cocoa production from 175metric tonnes to 500metric tonnes per annum. The Chairman, Technical Management Team of the Cross River State Cocoa Estate, Mr. Oscar Ofuka, disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists shortly after being inaugurated as chairman of Cocoa Estate by Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Egrinya Eneji, in Calabar yesterday. Ofuka stated: “The state record of annually producing 175 metric tonnes by the Cross River State is really not acceptable to us. We are looking at 500metric tonnes per annum and that target must be achieved.” “When the government said that he was going to create employment for about 700 unemployed, people laugh at him. Let me tell you that we are

L-R: Director-General, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Prof. Abdulsalam Nasidi; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, and Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, at an emergency National Council of Health meeting on Lassa fever outbreak, in Abuja, yesterday.

poised to produce employment opportunities for peasants, the social dregs of the society - those who had been marginalized.” Ofuka stated that the committee was going to distribute both seedlings and the opportu-

nity to the women to ensure that the women were empowered. Ofuka maintained that according to the term of reference given it, the committee would be interested in opening up new farms to ensure that Cross

River`s name was included among the world cocoa producing nations in the world. Ofuka stated that very soon, every citizen of the state would consume cocoa-based products such as cream, cocoa drinks

Minister lists causes of NIPOST setback Joel Ajayi, Abuja

he Minister of Infor mation and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has disclosed that indiscipline, lack of trust, greed and insecurity of goods and services are the factors responsible for the lack of growth of the Nigerian postal services. The minister stated this on Monday in Abuja while receiving the Acting Post Master General of the Federation, Mr. Enoch Adeogun, in his office. He said the outlets of NIPOST across the country remained a

veritable platforms for the “Change Begins With Me” Campaign of the federal government. He maintained that in the 60s NIPOST was relevant in all sectors of the economy in Nigeria. According to him, “I think the general decay experienced in the Nigerian post office today was as a result of greed, betrayal of trust, indiscipline on the part of NIPOST workers.” Alhaji Mohammed implored NIPOST to explore technology to boost the safety and integrity of the documents and parcels entrusted in their care in

order to inspire public confidence and place NIPOST on equal pedestal with the private courier service companies. He stated further: “The present government is ready to leverage on the existing structures of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) in the impending national reorientation campaign of the present administration. “Very soon we are going to start our reorientation campaign. This is a campaign in which we are going to tell Nigerians about the change we promised. “The fact is that

the change we promised will only happen if we all change the ways and manners we do things and this is why your tele-centres become useful to us; this is where your postal agencies and post offices become useful to us. We will apply to you to allow us to brand some of your post offices and postal agencies so that the people who come to the post offices will see exactly what the change is all about. “I have also looked at how it is possible to use your 3,000 post outlets as information centres to disseminate government programmes and policies

and tea. “The gap between Ondo and CRS is very lean. We want to make sure that every nook and cranny of available empty space that we know is viable for cocoa production is being planted with cocoa.

The sky is going to be our limit. We are going to do everything that is humanly possible to ensure that Cross River State beats Ondo State in cocoa production in the shortest possible time,” Oscar added.

to our people and, in this respect, I would want the National Orientation Agency to work closely with NIPOST.” He observed that though the advent of technology had posed a huge challenge to NIPOST services, it was incumbent on the organisation to adapt and explore Information and Communication Technology to add value to its services as obtained in other parts of the world. Earlier, the Acting Post Master General had told the minister that NIPOST, with over 3,000 outlets, had embraced technology to boost its activities

through the establishment of tele-centres and the remodeling of some of its offices across the country. He said in the last four years, NIPOST had remodeled about 300 post offices and had also entered into partnership with Galaxy Backbone to install 1,500 VSAT in the post offices. Mr. Adeogun, however, noted that in spite of the reach and efficiency of communication through the telephone and the Internet, physical delivery of parcels at affordable cost, especially in reserved areas, was crucial to the economy.

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Domestic transactions in equities shed N74bn year-on-year Johnson Okanlawon

otal domestic transactions in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange dropped to N59.21 billion as at December 2015, a decline of N74.39 billion when compared to N133.6billion recorded in the same period of 2014. However, total domestic transactions increased by 7.26 per cent from N55.2billion in November to N59.21billion in December 2015. Data from the NSE showed that the institu-

tional composition of the domestic market, which was about 47.17 per cent in November increased to 67.86 per cent at the end of December, whilst the retail composition decreased from 52.83 per cent to 32.14 per cent in the same one month period. In comparison to December 2014, institutional composition decreased from 72.99 per cent to 67.86 per cent, whilst the retail composition increased from 27.01 per cent to 32.14 in the same period. Total transactions

at the nation’s bourse decreased by 41.72 per cent from N189.72billion recorded in January to N110.56billion in December 2015, a decrease of13.49 per cent from N127.8 billion recorded in November, 2015. Total foreign transactions decreased by 33.39 per cent from N1, 538.92 billion recorded at the end of 2014 to N1, 025.07billion at the end of 201, while total domestic transactions decreased by 22.53 per cent from N1, 136.63 billion recorded at the end of 2014 to N880.56

billion recorded at the end of 2015. The data showed that there was a significant shift in foreign portfolio investments, which outperformed domestic between 2011 and 2012. In 2013, there was a major rebound in the domestic component which led to an almost equal split in foreign versus domestic transactions. In 2014, foreign portfolio investments outperformed domestic transactions.

Investors buy 256m shares worth N1.9bn Johnson Okanlawon

rading in equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange may be moving away from the current bearish trend as most of the equity market indicators improved, though the benchmark index dropped marginally. The total equity volume, value and number of trades increased over the preceding day, including the number of gainers, while the losers dropped. The volume and value traded increased by 30.7 per cent and 17.9 per cent

to 256.4million shares and N1.973.5 billion respectively. On the gainers’ table, 24 stocks appreciated in comparison to the 27 that declined. Stock analysts noted that some strength in selected tickers suggests investors are beginning to take advantage of low equity prices. “Although the market performed better in comparison to recent times, we maintain our expectation of a bearish market in the short term, banking on a possible reversal of market

drags which will trigger a rebound. “That said, value stocks are getting more attractive with prices at ridiculously low levels. Hence, we continue to advise bargain hunting for long term horizon of two years,” investment analysts at United Bank Capital said. The All-Share Index depreciated marginally by 0.42 per cent to close at 22456.32 points, compared to a loss of 4.10 per cent recorded the preceding day to close at 22,550.83 points. Market capitalization shed N32 billion to close

at N7.723 trillion, compared to a decline of N331 bil;ion recorded the preceding day to close at N7.795trillion. However, year-to-date, the Index depreciated by 21.60 per cent, from 18 per cent recorded last week. The losses recorded in the share prices of Seplat, Guinness, Unilever, Nestle and Dangote Cement were mainly responsible for the depreciation in the value of the Index. A total of 256.4 million shares valued at N1.97 billion were exchanged in 4,731 deals.

European stocks rebound on China stimulus bets

uropean stocks rose the most in three weeks amid optimism China will act to support its weakening economy. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index climbed 1.3 percent at the close of trading. It rose as much as 2.4 percent earlier after a report showed China’s economy grew at an annual pace that was just shy of a government target, while leaving open the possibility of further stimulus. Europe’s benchmark pared its advance as oil-and-gas producers gave up some gains amid a drop in crude. Concern over a slowdown in the world’s second-biggest economy and deepening oil losses have weighed on investor sentiment this year, dragging the Stoxx 600 down as much as 10 percent to its

lowest level since December 2014. “It looks like the hangover from this awful start to the year is finally clearing,” said Justin Urquhart Stewart, co-founder of Seven Investment Management in London. “The slowdown in China is nowhere near as bad as markets feared, plus officials have the ability to intervene and stimulate growth. Though sentiment is still rock bottom, valuations have been so squeezed that any sign of corporate health should help.” The Stoxx 600 fell 21 percent from an April record through yesterday, after entering a bear market at the end of last week. That left its companies trading at 14.2 times estimated profit, near a one-year low. Investors are also focusing on corporate earnings

this week. Unilever added 3 percent after its quarterly revenue beat estimates. Software AG jumped 13 percent after posting annual operating profit that exceeded its forecasts. RWE AG and EON SE jumped 7.6 percent or more after Germany deferred a debate on the country’s phase-out of coal-fired power. Prudential Plc rose 3.4 percent after the insurer disclosed details of its capital strength and named a new chief executive officer for the U.K. and Europe. Credit Agricole SA climbed 2.5 percent after the lender seeking to bolster capital confirmed it’s exploring selling stakes in more than three dozen regional banks. Ocado Group Plc rallied 6.9 percent after the Daily Mail reported speculation that the online

grocer will partner with Amazon.com Inc. in Britain. Novozymes A/S tumbled 8.5 percent after the Danish biotechnology company abandoned an annual sales-growth target. (Source – Bloomberg.com).

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 22,456.32 points Market capitalisation 7.72trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

INTBREW

14.90

16.30

1.40

9.40

NEM

0.58

0.63

0.05

8.62

UNITYBNK

0.59

0.64

0.05

8.47

UCAP

1.10

1.17

0.07

6.36

ZENITHBANK

9.00

9.55

0.55

6.11

TRANSCORP

1.00

1.06

0.06

6.00

UACN

16.40

17.22

0.82

5.00

AFRIPRUD

2.01

2.11

0.10

4.98

LIVESTOCK

1.21

1.27

0.06

4.96

GLAXOSMITH

25.74

27.00

1.26

4.90

CHANGE

% CHANGE

LOSERS COMPANY

OPENING

OKOMUOIL

31.01

27.99

-3.02

-9.74

GUINNESS

102.89

93.00

-9.89

-9.61

CHAMPION

3.38

3.09

-0.29

-8.58

OANDO

3.79

3.50

-0.29

-7.65

DIAMONDBNK

1.69

1.58

-0.11

-6.51

CADBURY

12.64

12.00

-0.64

-5.06

MOBIL

145.00

137.75

-7.25

-5.00

SEPLAT

168.12

159.72

-8.40

-5.00

UNILEVER

43.25

41.09

-2.16

-4.99

VITAFOAM

5.24

4.98

-0.26

-4.96

FGN Bonds

8.2

MPR

Crude oil price

$58.96

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.96

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

SWISS FRANC

202

POUNDS STERLING

293

SDR

273

Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.27

105.58

10.27

106.58

9.45

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.44

112.78

11.40

113.78

11.07

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.07

110.53

12.17

111.53

11.88

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.02

118.28

12.03

119.28

11.82

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.15

110.93

12.05

111.93

11.87

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.51 85.67

12.12

86.67

11.96

Rate (%) Inflation

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of January 19, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

21-Apr-16

4.36

4.41

14-Jul-16

7.36

7.63

05-Jan-17

8.00

NIBOR Tenor

Rate (%)

O/N

2.3750

7.6786

9.7721

10.9290 CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

North

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Auto accidents claim 170 lives in Katsina JAME DANJUMA KATSINA

L-R: Senators representing Adamawa, Binta Garba and Mohammed Yidi; APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir David Lawal, and APC National Secretary, Mr Mai Mala Buni, during a condolence visit to the family of the late State Chairman of APC in Adamawa, Alhaji Shuaibu Yamusa, in Numan yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

Taraba govt tasked on attacked victims’ medical bills JUSTIN TYOPUUSU JALINGO

edical officer-incharge of Santa Maria Catholic hospital, Bali, Isaac Akperekpe, has cried out to Taraba State government to take over medical bills of victims of crises in the area, saying the hospital can no longer afford to treat the victims. He made the call yesterday in Bali while conducting journalists round the hospital wards for them to see the condition of victims of recent attacks in Bali and envi-

rons. Akperekpe said the victims, mostly Tiv farmers, had just returned to the area from Benue State where they ran for safety in the wake of crisis in the area, and had no money to pay for their medical bills. “Because we are a faith-based organisation, many people prefer to be treated here. We have cases here that ordinarily we would have referred to other hospitals, but the patients refused to go on referral because they can’t afford to pay. You know they just returned

after attacks on them and have nothing on them. “Our financial position has dwindled seriously. We have exhausted our medical stocks on victims of crises and can no longer cope because of the volume of patients we receive on daily basis following renewed attacks on the returnees. “We have three severe cases that we need over a million naira to treat, but we are just managing them because they don’t have money and we don’t have drugs to handle their cases,” he said. The medical officer

added that the hospital has treated and discharged over 400 victims between 2014 and 2015 out of which 23 died on admission. He further stated that the hospital had received over 100 victims so far this year, which number was still rising as victims were daily being brought to the hospital. He called on security agencies, the government, traditional and religious leaders to put an end to the killings in the area.

Desertification: EU/FAO boost GGW project implementation with N43.4bn OLUFEMI ADEOSUN ABUJA

uropean Union, EU, and Food and Agriculture Organisation, FOA, have committed 200million euros (about N43.4bn) to the implementation of the Great Green Wall programme in West African countries. Nigeria is one of the prominent countries that have signed on to the continental programme, as the project is currently being implemented in the 11 frontline states of the North such as Kebbi, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi and Katsina. Speaking on the sidelines of the Regional Great Green Wall Technical Restoration Workshop in Abuja yesterday, the FAO Forestry Offi-

cer (Dry Lands), Nora Berrahmouni, stated that apart from the 200m euros, the donor agencies would also provide technical assistant to the implementing countries. She noted that the technical support was necessary in order to enable the countries develop best methodology for the effective use of the fund to benefit the rural communities where the projects are being implemented. Minister of State Federal Ministry of Environment, Ibrahim Jubril, pointed out that one of the major objectives of the workshop is to strengthen the technical capacities of the GGWmember countries towards actualising the vision of the Great Green Wall programme. He commended the FAO,

EU and African, Caribbean, Pacific, ACP, countries for the initiative, adding that Nigeria was now at a critical phase of combating land degradation and improving livelihoods of the affected people in the Sahel-Saharan region of Africa through the Great Green Wall initiative. On the achievement made so far in the 11 front-

line states in Nigeria, the Director-General, National Agency for Great Green Wall Programme, Ahmed Goni, said the agency had been able to accomplish the establishment of 415km Shelterbelt; 135ha community wood lot; 235ha community orchard; and 138ha community vegetable garden.

o less than 170 people lost their lives in road accidents across Katsina State’s 34 council areas last year. Of the number, 147 were adult males, 16 females, and seven children. Also last year, 717 sustained injuries from accidents, including 680 adults and 37 children, with a total of 1,217 involved in accidents. The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, Abdu Sule, said the accidents were mostly due to reckless driving by motorists. Sule said 3,661 vehic-

ular offenders were apprehended in 2015, while 3,899 offences were treated, with same number educated on importance on road safety. He said the command produced and issued 3,742 drivers’ licences, while 16 road traffic signs were installed within and outside the state metropolis. He said zebra crossings were made on road leading to eight schools, while sensitisation was carried out in 240 radio, and 48 television programmes. He also said rallies were conducted 53 times at motor parks, while several road audits were carried out in the year under review.

Cargo airport: Nasarawa disburses N260m compensation to communities IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

asarawa State government yesterday disbursed N260 million to inhabitants of communities whose lands have been acquired by the state government for the construction of a cargo airport in Lafia, the state capital. Commissioner for land and survey, Sonny Agassi, disbursed the money to over 800 beneficiaries at the premises of his ministry in Lafia. The land mass acquired for the airport project is about 926.5 hectares. The commissioner stated during the disbursement exercise that Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura had set aside some elements of the Land Use Act which gives him power to acquire land and pay only for economic trees and

physical structures as N200,000 has been earmarked for the payment of each hectare of land government acquired. Consequently, he said each beneficiary would be compensated based on the size of the land government has acquired from them, hence each individual’s benefit would range from N20,000 to N6 million as the case may be considering that the acquired land for the project is a rural setting. The commissioner assured the beneficiaries that all persons whose land is acquired by the state government for the airport project would be paid compensation within eight days, beginning from yesterday, even as he reiterated that Nasarawa government would always pay compensation of any land it acquires from the public.

Police nab 11 suspects over car-wash operator’s killing WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

olice in Ilorin yesterday paraded 11 suspects who allegedly shot and macheted one Bayo Ajia to death on Monday in his office. Commissioner of Police, Sam Okaula, told journalists that he instantly deployed his intelligence personnel

to the town and within four hours, the suspects were rounded up at their hideout. He said police found in their possessions, wraps of Indian hemp and a UTC axe with fresh blood stains at the time of arrest. Those arrested included Kamaldeen Isiaka, Moroof Yahaya, Ashiru Yusuf, Sodiq Tajudeen, Abdulsalam Yusuf, Musa Abdulkareem,

Emmanuel Ikechukwu, Ole Obafemi, Adeyemi Sosanya, Saidu Muideen and Ibrahim Rafiu while few others were said to have escaped. Also, one Bukola Ajikobi was reportedly killed by cult members at Ajikobi area in what was believed to be a reprisal attack by yet-to-be identified group, with the police yet to arrest any suspect for the crime.

The police chief paraded armed robbery suspects at Otte along Ilorin/Ogbomoso road, Offa and Gwanara in Baruteen local government area at the northern flank of the state. The robbery suspects included Fatai Usman, Ogundepo Ogunniyi, Mahman Alleni, Mohammed Abubakar, Bello Umar, Nosiru Ademola, and Abdulmalim Olagoke.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

CHANGE OF NAME I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS AWOLAJA MOJISOLA FUNMILAYO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ATANDA MOJISOLA FUNMILAYO. All former documents remain valid; National Youths Service Corp (NYSC), general public should please take note.

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I, Formerly known and addressed as MISS PETERS IBIDUN JUSTINA, now wish to be known and addressed as MISS PETERS IBIDUN JUSTINA ADURAGBEMI. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, general public should please take note

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I, formerly known and addressed as Babatunde Christianah Jumoke, now wish to be known and addressed as Ogbuefi Christianah Jumoke. All former documents remain valid, general public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Sanusi Yusirat Adenike now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Olaleye Yusirat Adenike. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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I formerly known and addressed as MISS CATHRINE IGHO ASEMOTA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. CATHRINE IGHO EBURU . All former documents remain valid. The general public should please take note.

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I, Formerly known and addressed as ORISHADE PETER TAOFEEK, now wish to be known and addressed as OLADAYO PETER TAOFEEK. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME AYODELE: I formerly known and addressed as FADENIPO ELIZABETH MORENIKEJI.Now wish to be known and addressed as AYODELE ELIZABETH KEJI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME ZACCHEAUS : This is to inform the general public that, I ZACCHEAUS SUNDAY JONATHAN is the same person bearing ZACCHEAUS SUNDAY TUNDE .All former documents remain valid.General public should please take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Mureni Tayo Michael Kabiru now wish to be known and addressed as Mureni Olutayo Michael Olusegun. All former documents remain valid. GT Bank, Access bank and General public take note

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I, Formerly known and addressed as UDO ITORO DANIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UDOH ITORO DANIEL. All former documents remain valid; management of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, general public should please take note.

I Formerly known and addressed as Odunwo funmilayo funke, now wish to be known and addressed as Otubaga olufunmilayo funke all former documents remain valid, general public to take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Adekoya Folasade Ayomide now wish to be known and addressed as Afolabi Folasade Ayomide. All former documents remain valid. First bank, Access bank and General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Ekuma Onwu Aja is the same person known and addressed as James Smart Ekuma. All former documents remain valid. First bank and General public take note CHANGE OF NAME

I Formerly known and addressed as Okereke Chikwado O now wish to be known and addressed as Okereke Chikwado Solomon. All document remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS FAJOBI OMOWUNMI OLUWABUSAYO NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ADESIYAN OMOWUNMI OLUWABUSAYO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. SKYE BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS SALAMI OLUFUNMIKE ELIZABETH NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS ODEDIRAN OLUFUNMIKE ELIZABETH . ALL FORMER DOCUMENT REMAIN VALID ACCESS BANK AND GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

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CORRECTION OF NAME That, Dairo Olabamiji Oluwagbemiro Saubana is the Correct name and Spelling, Not Alabamiji Dairo as written on my PVC used by GTBank. All former documents remain valid. First bank, GTBank and General public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as JESSICA IDU NWAPA now wish to be known and addressed as JESSICA IDU BRIGHT UBI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I Formerly known and addressed as Miss TITILAYO OSEBAYO lKUEJAMOYE , Now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs TITILAYO OSEBAYO BALOGUN. All former documents remain valid. Code of Conduct Bureau and General public should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Sikiru Abayomi Bankole now wish to be known and addressed as SMART JOSEPH ABAYOMI BANKOLE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I FORMERLY KNOWN AS CHINEDU NWAFOR NOW WISH TO BE ADDRESS AS CHINEDU DANIEL NWAFOR. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. ECOBANK,STANBIC, GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adeyemi Dada Adesakin, now wish to be known and addressed as Owoyale Tayo Ojo. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AJAMU TOSIN MOSES, now wish to be known and addressed as AKOLAWOLE TOSIN SUNDAY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MBAGWU LOIS OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as LAWAL LOIS OGECHI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as KAFILAT OLASUNBO ADEYEMI, now wish to be known and addressed as BASIRAT OMOLARA ADEYERI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I,formerly known and addressed as COMFORT DAHUNSI, now wish to be known and addressed as FOLUKE OGUNSAN. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

I,formerly known and addressed as ADESHINA BOLAJOKO OPEOLUWA, now wish to be known and addressed as OYELEDUN BOLAJOKO OPEOLUWA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as JOKE SARAT ADEBIMPE, now wish to be known and addressed as ODENIYI SARAT ADEBIMPE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that am the same person as Odinaka Igbo and Odinaka Igbokusiobi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Junald Olaitan Islaiyat now wish to be known and addressed as Junaid Olaitan Islamiat. All former documents remain valid. Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as Felix Jane Igienekhume, now wish to be known and addressed as Shaba Jane Igienekhume. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as OGA OSARIEMEN PRISCILLIA, now wish to be known and addressed as OMONGBALE OSARIEMEN PRISCILLIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME . I,formerly known and addressed as MR. FEMI ISAAC SEMAKO, now wish to be known and addressed as MR. HUNSU FEMI SENAYON. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

This is to confirm that I, Adura Aremu Salaudeen is the same person as Salaudeen Aduragba. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

JAPHET: FORMERLY known and addressed as JAPHET PAUL NOW wish to be known and addressed as JAPHET JAMES. All former documents remain valid, General public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME ALIYU: FORMERLY known and addressed as ALIYU HAYATUDEEN NOW wish to be known and addressed as ALIYU ISSA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

TUNDE: FORMERLY known and addressed as TUNDE SALAWUDEEN NOW wish to be known and addressed as TUNDE ISHOLA SALAWU. All former documents remain valid. ACCESS BANK, FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA PLC and General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Folorunso Omolayo Clara, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Akinlosotu Omolayo Clara. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

AWOKI:I formerly Miss Awoki Bidemi wished to be known and addressed as mrs Oyebade Bidemi.A. All former documents remain valid,U.B.A,Diamond bank and the general public take note.

Formerly known as Olufunmilayo Deborah Alesinloye now wants to be addressed as Olufunmilayo Deborah Ayodele. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JOHN DESTINY LOVETH. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS JOHN DESTINY ADAH. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Ola Augustina Omotoyosi is the same one person as Ola Justinah Olanike, that henceforth wish to be called and addressed as Ola Justinah Olanike. All former documents remain valid, United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) and general public should please take note

Formerly known as Olabayo Omoleke Janet now wants to be addressed as Mojeed Tawakalitu Titilayo. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME ALHASSAN: FORMERLY known and addressed as SAMAILA ALHASSAN NOW wish to be known and addressed as ISMAIL ALHASSAN. All former documents remain valid, General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Amusa Amoo is the same one person as Bello Hamza Atta, that henceforth wish to be known and called as Bello Hamza Atta. All former documents remain valid, Union Bank of Nigeria PLC (UBN) and general public should please take note

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to certified that Clement Kelvin Obumneke is the same one person as Duruezeala Prospect Obumneke, that henceforth wish to be called and known as Duruezeala Prospect Obumneke. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note

PUBLIC NOTICE

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Formerly known and called as Ogunniyi Tope Muyiwa now wish to be addressed and called as Oluwaniyi Temitope Mayowa. All former documents remain valid, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTB) and general public should please take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME / DATE OF BIRTH

CHANGE OF NAME

AUWALU: FORMERLY known and addressed as AUWALU SHAIBU IDI NOW wish to be known and addressed as AUWALU SHAIBU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly addressed and known as Miss Olaniyi Kafayat Abimbola now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Adebusoye Abimbola Oyinkansola. All former documents remain valid, Babafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex Ile-Ife (OAUTHC) and general public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

This is to notify the general public that the above named Organisation has applied for Registration, with the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990

This is to inform the general public that the above named Organization has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, 1990.

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja within twentyeight (28) days of this publication SIGNED: Secretary

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CHINAZA: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS UDONSI CHINAZA COMFORT NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHINAZA COMFORT EZECHUKWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

INITIATIVE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS & PROMOTION OF EDUCATION OF THE LESS PRIVILEGED

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1.To support Christian Missionaries

CHANGE OF NAME

I, formerly Imhenikhe Daniel Itaman, now wants to be known as Okodu Daniel Itaman. I also want my date of birth to change from 04-04-1978 to 0510-1979 All former documents remain valid. Access bank and general public should take note.

PRO-LIFE CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL NETWORK

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1.Judah Bedimma Gonzwak 2.Isuwa Atsen 3.Peter Owoeye

FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS ADELEKE VICTORIA ADEOLA. NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. ADENEKAN VICTORIA ADEOLA. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID.GENERAL PUBLIC TAKE NOTE.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Barr. Elizabeth Ishaya 2. Arewa Nuhu Ishaya 3. Mr. Joshua Jacob AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To help youth and the less privileged to have access to quality education and medical assistance 2. To promote peace making among the community

Any objection to the registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral Corporate Affairs Commission, Plot 420, Tigris crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja, within twenty-eight (28) days of this publication. SIGNED: Secretary

This is to confirm that ABUBAKAR WAKIL is the same person as BUKAR HASSAN. All documents bearing my names remain valid. General public please take note.

ADAORA: FORMERLY known and addressed as ADAORA CHRISTIANA NDIBE NOW wish to be known and addressed as ADAORA CHRISTIANA NKEMAKONAM OBIDIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Babalola Abidemi Dasola now wish to be called and addressed as Mrs Bababowale Abidemi Dasola. All former document remain valid, Osun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and general public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Abdulhamid Chindo Saidu now wish to be known and addressed as Musa Abdulhamid. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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ADEFISAN: I formerly Miss Adefisan Ibiwunmi Deborah now wished to be known and addressed as mrs Oyedepo Ibiwunmi Deborah. All former documents remain valid,Firstbank plc and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Eucharia Ukamaka Amam chukwu now wish to be known and addressed as Eucharia Ukamaka Okoli lgwe. All documents bearing the former names to remain valid. General public take note CHANGE OF NAME I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS. ERINLE TAIWO EUNICE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS. SANGODIJI TAIWO EUNICE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. OYO STATE HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT BOARD AND GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD PLEASE TAKE NOTE.

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Formerly addressed and known as Miss Olanrewaju Florence Bukola now wish to be known and called as Mrs Alo Florence Bukola. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

This is to certified that Oguntodu Olasunkanmi Micheal is the same one person as Oguntodu Oluwaseun Micheal, that henceforth wish to be known and addressed as Oguntodu Oluwaseun Micheal. All former documents remain valid, general public should please take note.

Formerly addressed and known as Miss Dada Oluwakemi Wemimo now wish to be addressed and known as Mrs Yomi - Babalola Oluwakemi Wemimo. All former documents remain valid, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex ile -ife Osun State (OAUTHC) and general public should please take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

I formerly known as AGBARAKWE PATIENCE. Now wished to be known and addressed as ESONWANNE PATIENCE. All former documents remain valid. ACCESS BANK, NYSC and the general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

DIM: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS DIM NJIDEKA PHOEBE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. MIKERE VIVIAN. All former documents remain valid. First Bank of Nigeria Plc and general public should please take note.

This is to confirm that OJO TUNDE is the same and one person as OJO SUNDAY, that henceforth wishes to be known and addressed as OJO BABATUNDE SUNDAY. Former documents remain valid. GTBank and the general public take note.

LOSS OF DOCUMENT

THIS IS TO NOTIFY THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF THE LOSS OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY SITUATED AT MASHA STREET, IKORODU LOCAL GOVT, LAGOS STATE, OWNED BY ADISA OGIDAN AIYEKOTO PHILIPS, REGISTERED AS NO 40 AT PAGE 40 IN VOLUME 1983 LAND REGISTRY LAGOS STATE. IF FOUND PLEASE CONTACT THE OWNER.

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OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR CHRISTIANAH CHIKA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ONUOHA CHRISTIANAH CHIKA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKPARA: I; formerly known and addressed as MISS CHINWE MARCILLINA OKPARA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as MRS. CHINWE MARCILLINA DIKE. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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OBIAKOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OBIAKOR HAPPINESS, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ACHOLIKE HAPPINESS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME/CORRECTION OF DATE OF BIRTH

This is to confirm that I, TAIWO ABIODUN VICTOR is the same person as TAIWO TAOFEEK as both names appears on some of my documents respectively. That my date birth was wrongly written as 28th day of February, 1978 instead of 22nd day of February, 1977. All documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public take note.

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CHANGE/CONFIRMATION OF NAME

UNANANWI: I; formerly known and addressed as ESIO UNANANWI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ASUKWO ESIO UNANANWI. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

That I was formerly known and addressed as AHMED SAIDAT ADUNNI and ISHOLA ENITAN SAIDAT. AHMED SAIDAT ADUNNI was used to open my Union Bank account while ISHOLA ENITAN SAIDAT was used to open my account in First Bank. I now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADELEYE, E. SAIDAT. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Okunade Ibrahim Ademola now wants to be addressed as Okunade Adebayo Fatai Ibrahim Ademola. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note. CHANGE OF NAME

I,formerly known, called and addressed as OSAGIE EKOGIAWE QUEEN, now wish to be known, called and addressed as OSAGIE BLESSING. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that the name MARY JOSEPH and MARY DAVID is one as they appear in my documents, but now wish to be known and addressed as MARY DAVID. All former documents remain valid. Authorities concerned and general public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Francis Oluwatomisin Shoneye now which to be known and addressed as Francis Oluwatomisin Salvage all former documents remain valid and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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Formerly known and addressed as MISS. BAKARE ELIZABETH AYODEJI. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. ADEYANJU ELIZABETH AYODEJI. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Hospital Management Board, Ado Ekiti, General Hospital Ijan Ekiti and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

.I, formerly known, called and addressed as MRS. TEMIDARA IYABO ADEYEYE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as TEMIDARA IYABO FAWEHINMI. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Bukola Okusaga now wish to be addressed as Bukola Osunsanya.All former documents remain valid,general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as CHUKUWU ODO PETER. Now wish to be known and addressed as ODO PETER AUGUSTINE. All former documents remain valid. WEMA BANK Plc, Ise Ekiti and general public take note.

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ANTHONY : FORMERLY known and addressed as ANTHONY GODWIN NOW wish to be known and addressed as SALCO GORDON AMERAH OLORO. All former documents remain valid, General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEYINKA: Formerly known and addressed as ADEYINKA OLUBUKANLA OGUNLANA and OLUYINKA DADA OGUNLANA now wish to be known and addressed as OGUNLANA JOSEPH DADA . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MISS JOY NCHEDO IWUCHUKWU NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS MRS JOY NCHEDO NWAFOR ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as FAMUREWA OMOWUMI, now wish to be known and addressed as FASUSI OMOWUMI. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. OLOFINTUADE FOLAKE MARY. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AYORINDE FOLAKE MARY. All former documents remain valid. Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission, Oye Local Government, Ekiti State and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

EKPO: FORMERLY known and addressed as MISS MARY JOHNSON EKPO NOW wish to be known and addressed as MRS MARY EMMANUEL IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Obikoya Olaide Bamidele and now which to be known and addressed as Obikoya Victoria Olaide all former documents remain valid , Ogun State Judiciary and general public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Hammed Rukayat Adenike now which to be known and addressed as Hassan Rukayat Adenike all former documents remain valid and general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME Kehinde Idowu is one and same person as Kehinde Oshiba Omoluwabi now which to be known and addressed as Kehinde Idowu Omoluwabi all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

I formerly known and addressed as VICTOR FEWAWRARESEIMONE and IKIOZIGHA PERES VICTOR, now wish to be known and addressed as VICTOR IKEYOUZIGHA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I, formerly known and addressed as MISS. SANDRA V.A. ORJI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. SANDRA V.A. ADOGHE. All former documents remain valid. General public please note.

CHANGE OF NAME BABAJIDE: Formerly known and addressed as BABAJIDE EBUDOLA ADEKUNMI. now wish to be known and addressed as YUSUF EBUDOLA AYODELE All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

SOGHEER: Formerly known and addressed as SOGHEER SULYMAN now wish to be known and addressed as MUHAMMADSAGHIIR SULAYMAN . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

Formerly known as Ayeni Oluwayombo Adeyinka now to be addressed as Jaiyesimi Oluwayombo Adenike.All former documents remain valid,general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oromakinde Olakemi Taiwo now which to be known and addressed as Akintoye Olusola all former documents remain valid Banks and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known as Friday Oguche Moses now to be addressed as Friday Joseph Moses.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

AINA: Formerly known and addressed as AINA MARIA OLUWATOYIN now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. AINA MARIA FADAHUNSI OLUWATOYIN All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

I formerly known and addressed as MISS. ADEUYI OPEYEMI CORDELIA. Now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OWOLABI OPEYEMI CORDELIA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OBAKA: FORMERLY known and addressed as MOHAMMED OBAKA USMAN henceforth wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED USMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as miss Olubisi Oyindamola Ogunbanjo now which to be known and addressed as Mrs Olubisi Oyindamola Salvage. All former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Ajayi Abiodun Taiwo now which to be known and addressed as Thanni Abiodun Taiwo Zilifat all former documents remain valid and general public take note. CONFIRMATION OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME

ADEBAYO: Formerly known and addressed as MISS ADEBAYO OLUWAKEMI IRETI now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UMUJOSE OLUWAKEMI IRETI All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IWUCHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS IWUCHUKWU IFEYINWA OLUCHI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS UDOGU IFEYINWA OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

LOSS OF ORIGINAL LAND DOCUMENT The general public is hereby notified of the loss of the ORIGINAL LAND DOCUMENT of the land & building situated at No. 21, ALIU BANIRE SRREET, Mosafejo, Ojo LGA, Lagos State, belongng to MR EMMANUEL UZO UGHAKWESHILI. All enquiries to: STANLEY ONUORAH & CO (solicitors), 10, Akinyele Street, Aguda , Surulere, Lagos. Phone 08023004487

CHANGE OF NAME

OLADESU: I, formerly known and addressed as OLADESU IYANUOLUWA A., now wish to be known and addressed as OLADESU SMITH IDOWU. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ADARANIJO: I, formerly known and addressed as ADARANIJO TEMITOPE MIRACL, now wish to be known and addressed as WASIU TEMITOPE LUKMAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Anuforo Sam now which to be known and addressed as Anuforo Sam Festus Manuawuchukwu all former documents remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Abdu Musa Dannani now which to be known and addressed as Musa Abdullahi all former documents remain valid and general public take note. CHANGE OF NAME

AWOSANYA: Formerly known and addressed as MISS OLUWATOYIN AFOLASHADE AWOSANYA now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLUWATOYIN AFOLASHADE ADEBAYO . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHUKWUDI: I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWUDI JULIET UKAH, now wish to be known and addressed as UKAH JULIET OLUCHI. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

AKWUSIE: I, formerly known and addressed as AKWUSIE CHRISTIAN CHUKWUMA, now wish to be known and addressed as AKWUSIE CRESCENT CHUKWUMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

IHEDIGBO: FORMERLY known and addressed as IHEDIGBO PHILIP NOW wish to be known and addressed as PHILIP OSONDO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OSINLAJA:Formerly known and addressed as OSINLAJA RAFIAN ASAKE now wish to be known and addressed as OLATUNJI RAFIAH FOLAKEMI . All former documents remain valid. General public take note

EMEASOBA: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS FAITH EMEASOBA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKEKE FAITH. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note. OGBOBE: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OGBOBE PATIENCE .N. now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EDWARD PATIENCE UGWUALOR. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MISS REGINA CHIAMAKA OKOH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS REGINA CHIAMAKA NWOKORO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

INWANG: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS INWANG UDUAKOBONG UDO, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKECHUKWU INWANG UDUAKOBONG. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

UGWUALOR: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWUALOR NNENNA DOMINICA, now wish to be known and addressed as OGBOZOR DOMINICA NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public should please take note.

Formerly known as Innocent Efomkemari Moses now wish to be addressed as Egun Efomkemari Moses.All former documents remain valid,general public take note.

This is to confirm and certify that Victor. E. Maxwell and Adekugbe Victor MAXWELL refer to one and same person, now wish to be known and addressed as Adekugbe Victor MAXWELL. All former documents remain valid. Banks and general public please take note.

HORLAWALE: Formerly known and addressed as HORLAWALE KAYODE ABDULKAREEM now wish to be known and addressed as AREMU ABDULKAREEM . All former documents remain valid. General public take note UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU EBUKA GABRIEL, now wish to be known and addressed as UGWU EBUKA BRUNO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME OBIESIE: I, formerly known and addressed as OBIESIE ADAEZE ANTHONIA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA ADAEZE ANTHONIA. All former document remain valid. General public please take note.

ORJI: I, formerly known and addressed as ORJI FELICIA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHIMA COMFORT. All former document remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Mr Evan Eze Milton, now which to be known and addressed as Mr Evan Eze Agbara all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWANKWO: I, formerly known and addressed as NWANKWO NGOZI AUGUSTINA, now wish to be known, called and addressed as CHUKWUMA NGOZI AUGUSTINA due to my marital status. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

EBHOZELE: I; formerly known and addressed as HENRY ABUMHENRE EBHOZELE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as HENRY ISRAEL ABUS. All former documents remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned should please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABOSEDE ELIZABETH FASAKIN, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS ABOSEDE ELIZABETH IYI-EWEKA. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as ONYEMA STANLEY OKORO, now wish to be known and addressed as NNADI ODINAKA ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME AINABE: I, formerly known and addressed as GRACE VIVIAN AINABE, now wish to be known, called and addressed as GRACE VIVIAN OMONZEGELE by virtue and reason of my changed marital status. All former document remain valid. General public and Authorities Concerned please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME This is to confirm that I, ODEREMI SUNDAY SAMUEL is one and the same person known, called and addressed as OLAYINKA ROTIMI SUNDAY. All former documents bearing both names are mine and remain valid. General public to take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABDULLAH HAJARA OSAVIZE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OLANREWAJU HAJARA OSAVIZE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

Laoye korede is the same person as Laoye korede Adeyemi now which to be known and addressed as Laoye korede Mufutau all former documents remain valid UBA and general public take note.

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GARRICKS: I, formerly known and addressed as BELEMA BIMPE GARRICKS, now wish to be known, called and addressed as BELEMA BIMPE IKYEBA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

I hereby inform the general public that I was formerly known and addressed as QUALHOR TENIOLA BUSARI, but now wishes to be called and addressed as SAMAD TENIOLA ANIMASHAUN. All former documents bearing my names remain valid. General public take note.

Oghenede Okagbare Emmanuel same Person as Okagbare Oghenede Emmanuel now which to be known and addressed as Okagbare Oghenede Emmanuel all former documents remain valid and general public take note.

OLATUNDE: Formerly known and addressed as Olatunde Omotayo. now wish to be known and addressed as Shaibu Tayo Grace. . All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

OKENWA: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS OKENWA LILIAN ODINKEMMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OKENWA LILIAN ODIWOMMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

NWABUGHIOGU:I, formerly known and addressed as NWABUGHIOGU OSINACHI, now wish to be known and addressed as FREDNAND OSINACHI CHRISTIAN. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CORRECTION OF NAME

INWELEGBU: : This is to inform the general public that my name was wrongly spelt as INWELEGBU CHIBUIKE JUDE instead of INWELEGBU CHIBUIKE RAPHAEL . Henceforth I wish to be known and addressed as.INWELEGBU CHIBUIKE RAPHAEL .All former documents remain valid. Banks and the general public take note

CHANGE OF NAME

DICK: I, formerly known and addressed as DICK OGOCHUKWU OGECHI, now wish to be known and addressed as EMMANUEL OGOCHUKWU OGECH. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OFFORKANSI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OFFORKANSI JENEVINE CHINELO , now wish to be known and addressed as MRS EKETE JENEVINE CHINELO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

OKAFOR: I, formerly known and addressed as OKAFOR ONYINYECHI FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as OKAFOR DARLINGTON. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Reckitt Benkisser to invest N1.2bn in diarrhea prevention in Nigeria

firm, Reckitt Benkisser West Africa, plans to invest N1.2bn in preventing the death of children under five years from the high prevalence rate of diarrhea in the country. Managing Director, Reckitt Benkisser West Africa, Mr. Rahul Murgai, told State House Correspondents yesterday after he led the company on a courtesy visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. According to him, the investment is part of a N7.2bn the company intends to invest in three countries. He said: “We are investing close to N7.2bn in three countries of which Nigeria should be a recipient and we are investing N1.2bn in Nigeria.” Murgai said the company was partnering with the Save the Children initiative, while the overall vision of the company was to create healthier lives and happier homes. He added that statistics showed that “about N455bn CHANGE OF NAME

is lost, which is almost 1.3 per cent of the GDP due to poor health and hygiene conditions in the country. “What this means from a human index perspective is that there is nearly 96,000 lives, nearly 100,000 of small children under the age of five who die due to diarrhea.

xecutive Director, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC, Mr Olusegun Awolowo, has identified 13 National Strategic Export Products, NSEP, targeted at replacing crude oil. Awolowo told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Abuja yesterday that NSEPs were also to shore up the country’s foreign exchange earnings. He said the products were grouped into three categories, agro industrial, mining related and oil and gas industrial products. “For agro industrial, CHANGE OF NAME

ONYECHERE: I, formerly known and addressed as ONYECHERE KINGSLEY CHIBUZO, now wish to be known and addressed as OKEREKE CYPRIAN CHIBUZO. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME ISHAKU: I, formerly known and addressed as SEKYEN KOPMUT ISHAKU, now wish to be known and addressed as SEKYEN ANTHONY. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

This is to confirm that ELIZABETH OKAFOR and ELIZABETH ANEKE .N. refers to one and same person . All documents bearing both names still remain valid. General public please take note CHANGE OF NAME

gramme and be able to cure and save a child from dying from diarrhea. He said Dettol, one of its subsidiaries, had been working closely in the past with the Ministry of Health and Save the Children with other NGOs in terms of being the trusted champions of health.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as AFOLABI ABIODUN BABATUNDE, now wish to be known and addressed as AFOLABI ABIODUN ADISA. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note. CHANGE OF NAME

it has palm oil, cocoa, sugar, rice and cashew while mining related are cement, Iron ore/metals, auto parts/cars, aluminium. “The other oil and gas industrial products have petroleum products, fertiliser/urea, petrochemical and menthol,” Awolowo said. He said the key initiatives for promoting the sector, especially in the areas where the council had comparative and competitive advantages were targeted through its various programmes. “Our collective attention should be drawn to CHANGE OF NAME

the indispensable imperative of redirecting our country’s economy away from crude oil to a non-oil export base. “NEPC has always been prepared to continue to spearhead this cause in order to increase contribution of the sector to national GDP through various intervention programmes and projects,” he said. Awolowo said the introduction of One-State-OneProduct, OSOP, initiative would enable each state in the country to choose a product for development along its entire value chain for promotion into CHANGE OF NAME

ENYINNANYA: I, formerly known and addressed as ENYINNANYA GEORGE, now wish to be known and addressed as ENYINNAYAH FRIDAY OBINWA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

OKWOR: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS OKWOR MARYROSE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS METU OBIANUJU MARYROSE PRECIOUS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

UGWU: I, formerly known and addressed as UGWU CHIOMA PATRICIA, now wish to be known and addressed as ANIAKU CHIOMA PATRICIA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

ENYI: I, formerly known and addressed as MISS ENYI BENARDINE IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS NWOSU BENARDINE IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as EZE. JOY C. OBIAGERI, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUEMEKA JOY NWAEDE. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Miss Shaibu justina Ojone, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Audu justina Ojone. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

FORMERLY MISS SIMBIAT SUNMILOLA OLASUPO NOW MRS SULAIMON SIMBIAT SUNMILOLA OLASUPO. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. NYSC, MOSHOOD ABIOLA POLYTECHNIC AND GENERAL PUBLIC TO PLEASE NOTE.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Miss KAYODE OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OGUNFOLAJI OLUWATOYIN ELIZABETH. All former documents remain valid. SKYE BANK/general public should take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Miss Abosede Adeshola Paulina, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Adinlewa Adeshola paulina. All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

Formerly known and addressed as ESTHER MUNGAK, now wish to be known and addressed as ESTHER MAINA. All former documents remain valid. Fidelity bank and general public take note.

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CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adebanjo Remi, now wish to be known and addressed as Sikirat Idowu Yusuf. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as Babajide Idris Adio, now wish to be known and addressed as Babajide Mukaila Adio. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

Formerly known and addressed as MUHAMMED DOLO, now wish to be known and addressed as MOHAMMED DULO. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Offuna Charles Olom, now wish to be known and addressed as Offuna Patrick Ogbata. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME Formerly known and addressed as Adebara Kamorudeen, now wish to be known and addressed as Olanrewaju Kamoru Yusuf. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CORRECTION OF NAME My name was wrongly writhen as Naarem Endurance Samuel instead of Naanem Endurance Samuel. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as Adeniyi Adedayo Mayowa now wish to be known, called and addressed as ADENIYI RUTH ADEDAYO. All former documents remain valid. GTB and general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Adebiyi Helen Alaba now to be addressed as Mrs. Adamolekun Adesola Alaba. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Adebiyi Adesola Alaba now to be addressed as Mrs. Adamolekun Adesola Alaba. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

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BARACK: I, formerly known and addressed as BARACK ORIRI DESMOND, now wish to be known, called and addressed as ORIRI DESMOND FRED. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

Murgai said the company chose Nigeria because it had the second highest prevalence of diarrhea in the world where nearly 100,000 children die every year. He said that the company was running a pilot scheme in Somolu Local Government Area of Lagos

State. He observed that before the test and scheme commenced, the prevalence of diarrhea in Somolu was 7.3 per cent. “All these initiatives will be able to bring it down by about 50 per cent and bring down the mortality factor by 80 per cent.

NEPC identifies 13 National Strategic Export Products to replace oil

AGBONLAHOR: I, formerly known and addressed as AGBONLAHOR JOY EWERE, now wish to be known and addressed as EKPI JOY EBOS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note. ANINWEKWE: I, formerly known and addressed as EDE CHIJIOKE ANINWEKWE, now wish to be known and addressed as EDE CHIJIOKE AMOS.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

“This translates into a startling figure of one child dies every minute due to the lack of preventable diseases getting support in terms of curing children in terms of diarrhea.” He explained that the whole essence of the programme was to observe the WHO seven-point pro-

I formerly known and addressed as Miss. Abati Oluwatosin Abiodun Christianah now to be addressed Mrs. Ogunjemilua Oluwatosin Abiodun Christianah. All former documents remain valid, general public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as Oladimeji Ayodele, now wish to be known and addressed as Olarewaju Muyiwa Joseph. All former documents remain valid.United Bank of Africa plc,WEMA Bank plc and General public take note.

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a brand for export market. He said the council would spearhead advocacy by promoting choice of products, market specialisation, improvement on quality, increase in quantity produced and market segmentation. According to him, it would also enhance the competitiveness of such products in the international market. Awolowo said the council had developed the Nigeria Diaspora Export Programme, NDEX, to take advantage of Nigeria’s large resident population abroad. “Using the NDEX platCHANGE OF NAME

ADEJOH: I, formerly known and addressed as ADEJOH BONIFACE BOB, now wish to be known and addressed as AKOR BONIFACE.All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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OGBUCHI: I, formerly known and addressed as MRS OGBUCHI ELIZABETH, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OGBUCHI ELIZABETH NNENNA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MOSES IHEOMA FAVOUR, now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWGBOGU IHEOMA FAVOUR. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as Titus Sunday, now wish to be known and addressed as Olorunleke Sunday.All former documents remain valid.General public take note.

CHANGE OF NAME

Formerly known and addressed as OGBU IBOYI DAVID, now wish to be known about addressed as OMENKA AKIRA GABRIEL. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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I, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MISS OLOYEDE LADUN OLAITAN NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AS MRS GBADEBO OYELADUN ADUKE. ALL FORMER DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID PUBLIC TAKE NOTE

CHANGE OF NAME EMESIANI: I, formerly known and addressed as EMESIANI NWANUAKU IFEOMA, now wish to be known and addressed as AGAH SANDRA IFEOMA. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

form as framework for virile partnership, Nigerians resident abroad are now being invited to work with government through NEPC’s NDEX. “The programme has three platforms: establishment of Nigerian heritage city – a cultural enclave that will warehouse goods of Nigerian origin. “Others are cuisine beyond borders – standard restaurants that showcase Nigerian food and formalisation of trade in Nigerian Diaspora products by encouraging interested Nigerians resident abroad to invest in export business,” he said. CHANGE OF NAME

CHUKWU: I, formerly known and addressed as CHUKWU LOVETH N., now wish to be known and addressed as CHUKWUOKO LOVETH N.. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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Formerly known and addressed as MISS. IJOSE OMOBOLA ADERONKE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. OGUNLEYE OMOBOLA ADERONKE. All former documents remain valid. General public take note

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Formerly known and addressed as MISS ABDULSALAM HALIMAT ESTHER, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS. OWOLABI. HALIMAT ESTHER. All former documents remain valid. General public please take note.

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Formerly known , called and addressed as PETER JOHNSON, that I now wish to be known, called and addressed as OROVWUJE PETER, in every DOCUMENTATION & IDENTIFICATION. that all documents relating to my former name remain valid. that the general public and Guaranty Trust Bank to please take note.

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ASAKI: I, formerly known and addressed as DORIS FANYAN ASAKI, now wish to be known, called and addressed as AGERA DORIS. All former documents remain valid. General public should please take note.

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I FORMERLY KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS ATALOR PEACE ENABELE, NOW WISH TO BE KNOWN AND ADDRESSED AS IYOHA PEACE ENABELE. ALL DOCUMENTS REMAIN VALID. DIAMOND BANK AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC SHOULD TAKE NOTE.

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I Formerly known and addressed as ATALOR PEACE ENABELE, now wish to be known and addressed as IYOHA PEACE ENABELE. All documents remain valid. DIAMOND Bank and the general public should take note.

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Abia Warriors declare Obanor AWOL

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Tennis is a young man’s game. Until you’re 25, you can play singles. From 25 to 35, you should play doubles. I won’t tell you exactly how old I am, but when I played, there were 28 men on the court – just on my side of the net.

–George Burns

Today’s fixtures Rwanda Morocco

vs Gabon vs Cote d’Ivoire

Results Zimbabwe 0 Zambia Mali 2 Uganda

1 2

Chansa, Katongo help Zambia beat Zimbabwe

Isaac Chansa of Zambia (left) tackling Farai Madhanaya of Zimbabwe, during their match, yesterday.

CHAN

Chikatara, Usman earn Oliseh’s confidence

igeria hat-trick hero, Chisom Chikatara, midfielder Usman Mohammed and defender Orji Kalu, have pushed for starting shirts with the Super Eagles at the ongoing CHAN in Rwanda on the strength of their displays against Niger, officials have disclosed. Chikatara came off the bench in the 58th minute to replace the hugely ineffective Tunde Adeniji and he showed his class with three well-taken goals and could

even have scored more against Mena. He has done more than enough to lead the Eagles strike force against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia on Friday. Usman Mohammed did more in the 20 minutes he was on the pitch than the older and more experienced Bartholomew ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu produced in 70 minutes. “Mosquito’ was far apart from the two defensive midfielders, Paul Onobi and Ifeanyi Matthew.

He could not thread a through pass to the attack, he did not follow the tactical instructions,” a team official told africanfootball.com According to the report, Jamiu Alimi was outstanding in the Eagles training camp in South Africa, but he was a nervous wreck in the heart of the defence against the Mena of Niger so much so that he bagged a booking after a late reaction and was promptly substituted after just 16 minutes.

And his replacement, Orji Kalu, came in to post a solid display in central defence, a position he plays for his club, Enugu Rangers, even though the Eagles have used him in right back. With the return from suspension of Austin Obaroakpo, it is left to be seen whether Coach Sunday Oliseh will stick with the new central defence pairing of Kalu and Stephen Eze or get Obaroakpo back in the deep end right away against Tunisia on Friday.

saac Chansa scored the only goal of the game to give Zambia victory over Zimbabwe in their 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group D opening match yesterday. According to BBC Sport, the veteran midfielder broke the deadlock just before the hour, stretching to convert Chris Katongo’s free-kick to the back post. Although Zambia had more possession, Zimbabwe spurned a chance to equalise. Edmore Chirambadare was through one-on-one with the keeper just before half-time, but shot wide from eight yards. It was a first defeat for Coach Kalisto Pasuwa with the Zimbabwe team, having a record of three wins and three draws going into the match. And Zambia’s experience told in the end, with Nations Cup winners, Chansa and Katongo, combining to strike the decisive blow. The pair will have boosted their chances of a recall to the full senior team. Before the match, Zambia Football Association president, Klausha Bwalya, told BBC Sport he believes the pair still have a lot to contribute to the team. He said a good showing from them at CHAN - the tournament for locally-based players could revive their international careers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Retiring Hewitt masters the moment

year-long build-up to his final home major put Lleyton Hewitt under pressure, but he delivered yesterday Everything in the past 12 months – since he announced his intentions at Australian Open 2015 to conclude his career at this year’s event – had led up to this moment for homeboy, Lleyton Hewitt. From the farewell tour at select stops in 2015, to the Aussie summer of goodbyes at the Hopman Cup and at exhibition events in Hobart, Sydney and Adelaide, to the specially-designed, Australian-themed outfit, to prime-time billing on Rod Laver Arena for a 20th and final appearance at his favourite tournament. Only it’s not quite farewell. Not just yet. Hewitt produced a stellar performance – in front of a packed stadium and, in a nice touch, with Australia’s past five Davis Cup captains watching on – to see off younger compatriot, James Duckworth, in straight sets yesterday.

Verdasco

Australian Open

Verdasco

avenges defeat, sends Nadal home

t the ongoing 2016 Australia Open Grand Slam yesterday, Fernando Verdasco stunned Rafael Nadal 7-6(6), 4-6, 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 at the Rod Laver Arena with one of the greatest displays of power tennis the sport has ever seen. Every shot was an opportunity for Verdasco to attempt a winner, and he notched up an unfathomable 90 of them, including 41 off his forehand wing, to move through to the second round. Nadal did not play poorly. He simply had his racquet taken out of his hands as Verdasco hit 20 aces, 10 return winners, and 57 groundstroke winners in an awesome display of attack first and ask questions later. To go along with the 90 winners, Verdasco forced 54 errors from Nadal, specifically targeting Nadal’s forehand wide in the ad court. Overall, Nadal committed 37 forehand forced errors, unable to deal with the raw power that continually rained down on him. The loss condemned Nadal to his earliest Australian Open

exit in 11 attempts, and is only the second opening-round loss in his Grand Slam career. Nadal led 30-0 serving at 2-5 in the final set, but four consecutive Verdasco winners, including two directly off the return of serve, ended the match, which lasted four hours and 41 minutes. When they played their epic five-set semi-final in Melbourne in 2009, Nadal won one more point than Verdasco – 193 to 192. This time, Verdasco managed to win two more than his Spanish rival – 182 to 180. Points were typically very short, with 74 per cent of rallies in the 0-4 shot range, 18 per cent in the 5-8 range and only eight per cent lasting more than nine shots. “I just started hitting winners, I don’t know how. I was just closing the eyes and everything was going in,” a jubilant Verdasco said afterwards. Verdasco advances to play Dudi Sela of Israel, a 6-1, 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 winner over German Benjamin Becker earlier yesterday.

Hewitt

FIFA election: Infantino proposes 40-team World Cup

IFA presidential candidate, Gianni Infantino, has suggested expanding the World Cup to 40 teams and following the example of the European championship by spreading it across several countries to share out the “honour and benefits” of the tournament. The Swiss, general secretary of European soccer body, UEFA, backed proposed reforms for soccer’s scandalplagued world governing body which included term limits for the president and leading officials and public disclosure of their remuneration. Laying out his plans for the February 26 election, he also proposed that FIFA should aim to distribute half of its revenues directly to its 209 member associations to be spent on the development of the sport. Infantino, a 45-year-old multilingual lawyer, is one of five candidates standing in an election taking place amid the worst crisis in FIFA’s history.

Infantino

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Austin Akosa: Adieu to an outstanding sports administrator D

Kogi, Confluence honour players

Afolabi Gambari

Ifeanyi Eduzor

igeria sporting community woke up last Saturday morning to hear the sad news that one of the country’s great sport administrators, Austin Akosa, was dead. Announcing his death through a press release signed by his brother, Chuka Akosa, his family noted that he died after a brief illness. The Akosa, who was born in 1941 hails from Ogbe Ozaa quarters, Onitsha in Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He attended the Holy Cross Primary School, St Gregory College, Obalende, Lagos and the Ashridge College, London for his higher education. He was one of the pioneer students of the Nigeria Institute for Sports (NiSports) and until his death, was a member of the prestigious Yoruba Club. Popularly known as ‘Suzzie’ during his life time, Austin Akosa, retired from the National Sports Commission (NSC), where he served on several National

Late Akosa

Sports Federations as Organising Secretary. During his time at the NSC, he served as the Secretary of Nigeria Tennis Federation, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and was a one time member of the board of the Nigeria Football Association, in his capacity as President of Nigeria Coaches Association. A former spokesman of the West African Football Union (WAFU) where he helped in creating vibrancy to the sub-regional football body, he was also a CAF

instructor and Match Commissioner for many years. His organisational ability was well noted during the Nigeria 1999 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2003 All Africa Games, both hosted by Nigeria, where he served as the Lagos Sub-seat chairman and head of Protocol /Ceremonial Committee respectively. Although Akosa lived most of his life in the Western Nigeria, especially in Lagos, he never lost touch with his kinsmen in Onitsha where he was a Prince

and one of the kingmakers that selected the reigning Obi of Onitsha, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe. Apart from being a prince of the cosmopolitan town of Onitsha, he was also one of the oldest men in his kindred which qualified him to be addressed as “Diokpa” (Elder). His demise at age 74, will definitely have an impact on Nigerian sports because his wise counsel will be missed by many who have benefitted one way or the other from it.

Abia Warriors declare Obanor AWOL

remier League club, Abia Warriors of Umuahia said one of its dependable players, Erhun Obanor, has disappeared without any official permission from the club. Chairman of the club, Chief Emeka Inyama, who revealed this, said the former Bendel Insurance of Benin defender has not been seen in Umuahia since the players resumed camping after the Christmas and New Year break, while he had refused to pick his calls. Inyama said such an attitude was unbecomingly of a player who is still under a valid contract. He reminded clubs that may possibly be fraternising with the former Nigeria U-23 captain of the consequences of their action, insisting that the left-footed player is not for sale. “Even if he wants to leave, the proper procedure for the transfer of players in the international market must be followed,” Inyama said. The chairman reinstated Abia Warriors’ willingness to go for the league title this season, pointing out that his management will not allow any member of staff, player or technical crew to derail this ambition.

Obanor

ignitaries, friends and families, supporters, fans and filled the Indoor Hall of the Lokoja Confluence Stadium to witness the awards and prizes bestowed on the players of Kogi United and Confluence Queens as the last season officially ended last weekend. Three categories of awards were given to three players from each team after been voted by the clubs’ official. Each of the awardees got cash award and a souvenir. Captain Abiodun Afolabi edged John Jerome to win the Most Valuable Player of the season for Kogi United. Ashadi Destiny won the Most Talented Player of the season while midfield general, Ismail Mayaki carted home the Most Well-Behaved Player of the sea-

son after a close competition with Nelson Ukwa and Abiodun Afolabi. Captain Tobiloba Olanrewaju also won the Most Valuable Player award of the season as well as Oluwakemi Famuditi (Well-Behaved Player) of the season, and Aishat Bello (Most Talented Player). Haruna Isah, Anthony Jegede and Abdulsallam Abdulhamid were also rewarded in the Feeder’s team for what the management called outstanding performance. Chairman of both clubs and former Nigeria international, Mallam Abdul Sule, said the event was organised to encourage good performance while charging other players to improve on their performance. “We will continue to encourage hard work, give the necessary support and make the players happy,” Sule said.

Oil Games: NNPC target title defence –Onyiriuka Ifeanyi Eduzor

hief Coach of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Football Club, Frank Onyiriuka, has predicted a successful title defense for his team in this year’s Nigeria Oil and Gas Industries Games (NOGIG) which has kicked off at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. Onyiriuka, a former player of defunct ITT F.C. and Stationary Stores of Lagos as well as NNPC Warri Football Club, told National Mirror that their 2-0 victory over Petroleum Training Institute, Warri in their first game scored by Abdulahi Aliyu and Charles Uyi was a warning to other teams that they are in the competition to retain the title they won in 2014. According to him, his optimism on retaining the title is based on the fact that most of the players that won the title two years ago were not only retained but are now more mature for this

year’s campaign. “I’m confident that we are going to retain the title because most of the players that did us proud last two years by defeating highly rated Chevron 2-0 in the final are still intact. “We have also introduced new players to beef up the team and nothing short of the trophy will be good for us”, declared the coach who applauded the NNPC management for continuously boosting players and officials before, during and after such championships. After the 2-0 drubbing of PTI, NNPC is now billed to take on Local Content FC today at the same venue.

Kachikwu

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Lassa fever: Before the dust settles

uckily, there has been a preponderance of circulating “facts on Lassa fever” in the social media, since this current outbreak that has affected 94 patients and killed 43 of them in 10 states as at January 13, 2016, when the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole addressed the nation. The press release the ministry issued on the development also included the listing of symptoms to watch out for, GSM numbers to call, e-mail addresses for the internet savvy, pathogenesis and epidemiology of Lassa fever, tracing its origin to rats of Mastomys natalensis - the hairless tail, multimammate rat, which is prevalent in West Africa, as the hosts of the Lassa fever virus. It also has an incubation period of six to 21 days with multi system failures that would eventually lead to death. The objective of this volume of infor-

Guest Columnist mation is laudable and meant to increase awareness through public education by warning and sensitizing people, but they could sometimes also frighten the citizens about the dangers of Lassa fever. Thanks to the advent of the social media, for making information dissemination very easy, cheap and just a single click away. However, beyond this hype and fears, there are fundamental issues and several questions that needed to be addressed if we must conquer the scourge, and by extension other viral haemorrhagic fevers. There must be a change in the past strategies employed by the health authorities that have failed to stop the recurrence of this deadly zoonotic viral haemorrhagic fever, tapping from the experience of Ebola that we have just recovered from and the suppression of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza popularly called Bird Flu. Lassa fever has been with us since 1969 and is still regrettably being talked about with more frenzy today with a case fatality rate almost thrice the 15 percent that WHO considers a very bad situation. The reason could be that old and current strategies deployed have been the same and ineffective. As a nation, we must come out of the box and design a new and sincere approach to dealing with a disease that is quite endemic in our region, rather than continue with the fire brigade methods of raising alarm, daily blow-by-blow ministerial updates of deaths on television, setting up one-sided committee, begging for international do-

Inter Milan terminate Vidic’s contract

erbian defender, Nemanja Vidic, has left Inter Milan after his contract was terminated by mutual consent, the Italian club announced on Monday. The former Manchester United skipper moved to In-

Gani Enahoro

ter in July 2014 and made 28 appearances last season but has been sidelined due to injury this season. “F.C. Internazionale would like to announce that the club has terminated Nemanja Vidic’s contract by mu-

LASSA FEVER HAS BEEN WITH US SINCE

1969 AND IS STILL

REGRETTABLY BEING TALKED ABOUT WITH MORE FRENZY TODAY nations and building professional silos around the outbreaks, as if an island exist around diseases. At best, what those steps have given us was to unfairly concentrate every effort in post-infection management of patients and contact tracing of those who related with infected people, rather than a holistic multi-disciplinary approach that is more efficient, prudent and sustainable, when all hands are on the deck. The animal-human interface that makes elimination of rats and rodents critical in the case of Lassa fever has been completely ignored or played down, when the committees are formed and when funds are deployed. No expert in that area of competence has ever been found worthy of membership of Lassa fever committees, even when an unwieldy number of a 26man omnibus committee of solely medical doctors was formed in 2012. The failure of such one-sided panel-beating of a very deadly situation is now staring us in the face today with the current recurrence. It sounds more logical that we should

worry as much, if not more, about the source of the disease and how to control it alongside the care for those already infected, in the hope that we could nip in the bud, exposing more people that could have been infected in future. This is the missing link, which could be traced to pecuniary benefits that may surround the funds that would be provided, under emergency, to deal with the disease. I hope we are all learning from “Dasukigate,” the infamous arms fund deal that has confirmed that blood money does not stink in some people’s pockets, no matter their status in the society. For every student of public health, the first lesson was that no dividing lines exist between human and animal medicine, because more than 65 percent of infectious diseases in man are traceable to their animal origins. It then means that collaboration between these two specialties must be promoted at all opportunities for the overall interest of the general public. I must appreciate that just the one time this collaboration was tasked, Nigeria got better for it, and that was during the two major outbreaks of Bird Flu in 2006-2008 and recently last year, the vestiges of which we are still dealing with today. A more concerted inter-ministerial collaboration from the federal ministries of Health, Agriculture, Environment and Information, is required if we sincerely wish to deal with this scourge. The Pest Control Services section has always been domiciled in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, just like the Department of Veterinary Services, and not anywhere else. There are Veterinary institutions like the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI), Vom in Plateau State, which can boast of diagnostic facilities of a similar Bio-Safety Levels (BSL 3 or 4) that is available at Irrua, which can confirm Lassa or possibly Ebola viruses. Dr. Enahoro, is the immediate past President of Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association and current Vice President, African Veterinary Association

Sport Extra

tual consent,” Inter said on its website. Vidic, who formed a formidable partnership with Rio Ferdinand at the heart of the United defence and won five English league titles as well as the Champions League in 2008, thanked

Inter and the club’s fans. “I would like to wish the club the greatest success in the future. Forza Inter forever!” added the 34-year-old. Vidi collected a host of honours in his United career, including three consecu-

tive Premier League titles (five titles in total), the UEFA Champions League, the FIFA World Club Cup, three League Cup medals, as well as being included in three consecutive (four in total) PFA Team of the Year sides from 2007 to 2009.

Vidic

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