26 January 2016

World Bank lowers 2016 crude oil prices forecast to $37p/b

Lassa fever: Lagos declares war on rats, kills 7,243

…as lawmakers scrutinise budget oil price benchmark, other proposals Tola Akinmutimi

Kachikwu

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orld Bank yesterday revised downward its

2016 forecast for crude oil prices to $37 per barrel for the current year, from $51 per barrel in its October projections.

The Breton Woods in-

stitution stated in its latest Commodity Markets Outlook report that lower forecast reflected a number of supply and demand Continued on Page 2>>

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I collected $2m cash from Metuh, witness tells court

•We are investigating yesterday, let tomorrow investigate us –Oyegun Obiora Ifoh and Doosuur Iwambe

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witness brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to testify against the embattled National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olisa Metuh, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Abuja how she collected $2m cash from Metuh at his residence in Prince and Princess Estate, Abuja.

Metuh is facing criminal charges of money laundering involving N400m, which he allegedly collected from Continued on Page 2>>

National Publicity Secretary of People Democratic Party (PDP) Olisa Metuh, facing trial on corruption at Federal High Court Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

Dasukigate: Army Headquarters defends boss, Buratai N754.8m fraud: Court remands ex-NIMASA boss, 6 others

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‘Poverty, unemployment, injustice cause conflict in Nigeria’ P.6

FG’s disregard for arbitration stalled N167bn LagosIbadan road project

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I collected $2m cash from Metuh, witness tells court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.

The witness, an employee of Assets and Resource Management Company Limited, ARM, Nneka Nicole Ararume, who described her position with the company as Wealth Manager, said the instruction given to her by Metuh was that the money should be invested.

She explained further that she went ahead to change the money to its naira equivalent through two bureau de change operators she engaged.

She said: “Metuh gave me the sum of $2m in $100 bills. It was taken to bureau de change operators who would then transfer the money to ARM. From there (Metuh’s house) I proceeded to Mr. Sie Iyenome’s office at Wuse 2 where I gave him the sum of $1m.

“I also invited Mr. Kabir Mohammed and I also gave him the sum of $1m to transfer the naira equivalent in favour of Destra Investment Limited. Later on the same day, December 2, 2014, Mr. Kabir and Mr. Sie Iyenome confirmed the receipt.”

The prosecution also called Mr. Sie Iyenome as its second prosecution witness, who also narrated how he changed the $1m to its naira equivalent and paid it to ARM. Both witnesses were cross-examined by the defence counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, after Justice Okon Abang, overruled his objection to adjourn the trial.

Ikpeazu had earlier asked the court for an adjournment saying, the front loaded documents the prosecution presented to the court were not sufficient exhibit with which he could use for cross examination.

He urged the court to consider Section 36 of the Constitution, which he said outweigh every other consideration in the process of trial.

Justice Abang, while ruling on Ikpeazu’s motion for adjournment

before cross examining the witnesses, held that all the bank statements and other relevant documents had been filed and served, adding that nothing would frustrate the trial.

He said: “This court is a court of summary trial, and we are here to do justice as required; all the processes needed for the trial have been filed and served on the defendant long before now.

“I adjourn this matter for trial to commence today and nothing will frustrate the trial; if the defence counsel has no question to ask the witness, the prosecution shall proceed to call the other witnesses because there is no material before this court to justify an adjournment.”

Earlier, Ikpeazu informed the judge that since Metuh had been unable to meet the bail conditions granted him on January 16, the defence had filed an application for variation of the terms.

He urged the court to adjourn the proceedings, noting that the inability of his client to meet the bail conditions had adverse effect on his preparation for the defence.

The prosecution led by Mr. Sylvanus Tahir, opposed the application for adjournment and his objection was upheld by the judge.

Trial has been adjourned till tomorrow for the prosecution to call more witnesses.

Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra , Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court for treason in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

It would be recalled that EFCC in the charge alleged that Metuh, who was arraigned alongside a firm, Destra Investments Ltd, received N400m, part of the money meant for the procurement of arms, from the Office of the National Security Adviser in November 2014.

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 N400m 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 offense 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 Novem-

ber, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the court took possession of N400m 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 of-

fense 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.” Meanwhile, National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government will be open for probe after his tenure, adding that the damages done to the nation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, needed to be probed.

Oyegun also berated critics, who believed that nothing is being done by the present adminisContinued on Page 5>>

World Bank lowers 2016 crude oil prices forecast to $37p/b CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

factors.

It listed the factors to include, sooner-than-anticipated resumption of exports by the Islamic Republic of Iran, greater resilience in U.S production due to cost cuts and efficiency gains, a mild winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and weak growth prospects in major emerging market economies.

The World Bank stated: “Oil prices fell by 47 per cent in 2015 and are expected to decline, on an annual average, by another

27 per cent in 2016. However, from their current lows, a gradual recovery in oil prices is expected over the course of the year, for several reasons.

“First, the sharp oil price drop in early 2016 does not appear fully warranted by fundamental drivers of oil demand and supply, and is likely to partly reverse. Second, high-cost oil producers are expected to sustain persistent losses and increasingly make production cuts that are likely to outweigh any additional capacity coming to the market.

Third, demand is expected to strengthen somewhat with a modest pickup in global growth.”

It projected further that the anticipated oil price recovery is forecast to be smaller than the rebounds that followed sharp drops in 2008, 1998, and 1986, adding that the price outlook remains subject to considerable downside risks.

In his remarks, Senior Economist and lead author of the Commodities Markets Outlook, John Baffes, predicted that low prices for oil and commodities would likely

be experienced for some time, while “prospect for commodity prices to rise slightly over the next two years, significant downside risks remain.”

It would be recalled that the prices of crude oil at the international market have continued to slide over the past months, thereby causing serious concern for planners in commodity exporting countries like Nigeria.

For instance, worried by the lingering volatility of the global oil market, the Federal Government has in the past two months

been faced with the challenge of appropriate oil benchmark price for the 2016 Appropriation Bill until December, when the budget benchmark was finally put at $38 per barrel.

Even then, experiences in the market over the past few weeks have also been given the National Assembly serious concern on how best to pass the Bill at a feasible benchmark price to avert serious macroeconomic crisis that may be triggered by inappropriate oil price scale.

The lawmakers at the Continued on Page 5>>

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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L-R: Lagos Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami; Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Community Affairs, Alhaji Adeniyi Quadri and the Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, during a joint news conference

by Folami and Quadri on erection of street gates in Lagos communities, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

L-R: Representative of the Director-General of NEMA and Chairman,Technical Committee Of Safe Schools Initiative (SSI), Mr Alhassan Nuhu; representative of the Director, Basic and Secondary Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Angelina Madueke; Zonal Coordinator of NEMA for North-West, Mr Musa Ilallah, and Junior Advisor, Project Management and Communications, GIZ Nigeria, Miss Uchechi Anyanwu, at an interactive meeting with Stakeholders of Senior Secondary School One (SSI), in Kano yesterday. PHOTO:NAN

L-R: Minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; Chief Executive Officer, Ebony Live tv, Mo Abudu, and King Of juju Music, Mr Sunday Adeniyi (a.k.a. Sunny Ade), during the meeting of the minister with entertainers, in Lagos on Sunday

L-R: Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (left), receiving a souvenir from the chairman, Beijing Jiany Investment Group, Mr. Zhang Ming, during their visit to Naval Headquarters in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

National News

NIMASA exceeds benchmark for ISPS code implementation

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igerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, said it has surpassed the benchmark set by the International Maritime Organisation, IMO, for compliance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security, ISPS, Code 2004.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by the head, public relations unit of NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka.

The statement noted that the acting directorgeneral of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Jauro, who received an IMO Needs Assessment team, described the maritime sector as a major economic driver.

He assured the team that the agency would not rest on its oars in ensuring that the nation’s seaports are safe and secured for business activities to thrive.

``From being less than nine per cent compliant in 2013, I am happy to inform you that we have surpassed the 70 per cent benchmark in national compliance level of the ISPS Code implementation in Nigeria. ``The current manage-

ment is leaving no stone unturned to ensure 100 per cent compliance level,” the statement said.

It added that that the leader of the IMO team, Ms Gisela Vieira, commended the management of NIMASA for the commitment and zeal shown

toward ensuring the effective implementation of the ISPS code.

According to the statement, Viera said the audit was not mainly aimed at identifying the faults but specially meant to set an agenda on how to better the current imple-

mentation status.

The statement recalled that NIMASA was in May 2013 officially named the designated authority for the implementation of the ISPS code after the dissolution of the Presidential Committee on Maritime Safety and Se-

curity.

The statement, however said that the agency has continually clamped down on some erring facility managers who had remained non-compliant after several entreaties to remedy the identified breaches.

Maritime Microfinance Bank earmarks N201m for MSMEs

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aritime Microfinance Bank Ltd., MMFB, has earmarked N201 million for disbursement as loans to micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, in 2016.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Lagos by the acting managing director of the bank, Mr. Oluwaseyi Hamilton.

Hamilton said while N120 million would be disbursed as micro-loans, N81 million would be disbursed by the bank as SME loans.

He said the planned loan disbursement is meant to support the Federal Government’s drive to diversify the nation’s revenue base, create employment and encourage small and medium-scale enterprises. ``We have since inception focused on empowering micro-entrepreneurs and low income earners by providing financial services in a sustainable and ethical manner. ``In this regard, we have developed a variety of loan products specifically designed for individuals running micro, small

and medium enterprises.

“Our processes and procedures are also tailored and customised according to the requirements of our customers.

“We take pride in providing the fastest turnaround-time for processing loan applications.

“We have, since inception supported the growth and development of small businesses.

“We have also been consistent in providing the much-needed financial support and solutions to businesses and individuals in the maritime industry and the

larger economic space,’’ Hamilton said.

He said the MMFB, which experienced phenomenal growth within its first year of operation, would continue to deploy modern technology to provide fast and more efficient services. ``We actively seek to understand our customers’ challenges, expectations and needs with the aim of meeting and surpassing their expectations in our service delivery,’’ Hamilton said.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that MMFB was incorporated

on January 24, 2014 to carry out the business of micro-banking in Nigeria and arrange, raise funds or loans.

The bank which was licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and fully insured by the Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC, commenced operations on December 1, 2014.

A banker and former executive director, finance and administration of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr. Adetola Atekoja, was appointed chairman of the bank last year.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Dasukigate: Army Headquarters defends Buratai N igerian Army yesterday defended the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, saying he has nothing to do with the ongoing probe of the abuse of the $2.1bn meant for procurement of arms.

A group, which called itself ‘Save The Nation Movement’ had in a statement on Sunday, signed its National Secretary, Steven Chilaka, called for the inclusion of Buratai among those indicted in the ongoing probe because he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters, DHQ. But, Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman dismissed the allegations of the group as lacking substance and facts.

He described the group as faceless, blackmailers and mischief makers, while setting the record straight con-

trary to the claims of the STNM. Usman said: “The public will recall our earlier warning of this type of campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army and the Chief of Army Staff. This has again reared its ugly head.

“Unfortunately, the movement could not get their facts right as has always been the case with people with dubious intents.

“Contrary to their mischief, it should be noted that General Buratai was Director of Procurement at Defence Headquarters from March 2014 to May 2015, not from 2012 to 2015 as they wished to mislead the public.

“There is the need to educate the ignorant group that, Defence Procurement in Nigeria is decentralised; each Service is responsible for its procurement. It is advisable for the group to look elsewhere if they want

to attack the Chief of Army Staff.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Chief of Army Staff has never been involved in any questionable act throughout his career as military officer let alone when he was at the DHQ. “As a matter of fact, the Chief of Army Staff has always been a reference point in exemplary conduct, probity and integrity. It is on record

that he voluntarily declared his assets both as Commander MNJTF and as Chief of Army Staff.

“One wonders what is the faceless group’s motive and why they are in a hurry to rubbish the good name of the Chief Army Staff and the Nigerian Army, when there is a Presidential Panel already working selflessly.

“Why is the group

trying to jump the gun?

Let these mischievous elements, which Steven Chilaka represents, allows the Panel to discharge its duties dispassionately as it is doing.

“It is advisable also that the faceless group should get their facts right and not just merely speculate or disturb us with their wishful thinking.

“They should further understand that what-

ever mischievous intentions they have against the Chief of Army Staff and indeed, the Nigerian Army, both would not be deterred, we shall remain focused and never to be distracted.

“Consequently, the public is requested to disregard the so called Movement’s evil machinations which would surely fall back on them.”

World Bank lowers 2016 crude oil prices forecast to $37p/b CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2

National Assembly had last week indicated their intention to take a comprehensive look at the key assumptions in the Appropriation Bill with a view to ensuring that what eventually passes their scrutiny would ensure budget efficiency.

The legislators’ position came after the International Monetary Fund, IMF, had raised serious concern about the feasibility of the benchmark used for the budget in the face of further dip in global oil prices.

It predicted that the price of the commodity would plummet between $20 to $30 per barrel, representing a huge difference between the benchmark of $38 per barrel.

IMF predicated its forecast on the return of Iran to the international oil export market, which would increase supply in the market and subsequently dip the price further.

Even before the IMF prediction, Goldman

Sachs had predicted that crude prices could slide to as low as about $20 per barrel this year.

While appreciating the enormity of the fiscal challenges the ugly global oil market whirlwinds could pose to Nigeria’s economy, President Buhari had, during the visit of the IMF boss, Christine Lagarde, to the country, said his administration would do its best to mitigate the impact of the volatility of the international oil market on the economy.

He said: “We have just come out of budget discussions after many weeks of taking into consideration the many needs of the country, and the down turn of the economy with falling oil prices and the negative economic forecasts “We are working very hard and with the budget as our way forward, we will do our best to ensure that our country survives the current economic downturn,” President Buhari assured.

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (right), presenting an award of the ‘ICON of Democracy’ to former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at the 2016 Annual National Political Summit in Abuja yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

I collected $2m cash from Metuh, witness tells court CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

already happening that will bring cheers to Nigerians in the next few months.

While addressing newsmen at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja yesterday, Oyegun, denied the allegation by opposition parties that the fight against corruption was being targeted at PDP members alone.

He said: “We are investigating yesterday, let tomorrow investigate us.

“People tend to give the impression that we are so concentrated on corruption and nothing is happening. I tell you that a lot is happening which

will bring cheers to Nigerians in the next few months. It was 16 years of solid PDP control only.

“If we want to clean out this country, if we want to save this country, we must be serious about it and wherever the train goes, there we will also go. There is no two ways about it. All these attempts to divert attention from the reality will just not succeed. If you are caught stealing from this nation. You must account for it.

“The mere fact that a current leader has the courage to probe what happened before his time is the clearest indication

that he is most unlikely to repeat the same mistake because the next leader will investigate him too.

“So, we must be ready to put up with the inconvenience of getting this country out of the current level of decadence that has almost destroyed the fabric of this country.”

Oyegun also denied that APC had gone to the Presidency to beg for financial assistance.

He said: “There have been talks in the media about the state of our finances. That goes to tell you that just like the economy, the party is suf-

fering the strain of funding. It also tells you that we are not a party that draws funds from either security votes or from any government agency.

“We have not asked for rescue from the President because that is not part of his national duties. In fact, there is no fund from which he can draw to support the party in the way it has been done in the past.

“The party had to come out with a fresh thinking on how to raise resources for its operations. That we have done, the plan is ready and it will go into operation in a few months from now.”

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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N754.8m fraud: Court remands ex-NIMASA, Akpobolokemi, 6 others Wale Igbintade

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Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Raliat Adebiyi yesterday remanded in Ikoyi prisons former director-

general, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and six other staff of the agency.

They were remanded in prisons till today

when they are expected to perfect their bail conditions.

They were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged stealing of N754,740,680

belonging to NIMASA. The new charge, LD/2181C/15, filed before Justice Adebiyi bordered on allegations of stealing and forgery.

In the13-count charge, Akpobolokemi was ar-

L-R: Chief Executive Officer and Vice President, ATC Nigeria, Gordon Porter; Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators, Gbenga Adebayo; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, and Director, Legal and Regulatory Affiars/ Company Secretary, Airtel, Mr Shola Adeyemi, during the meeting of the Minister with Mobile Telecommunication Operators, in Lagos yesterday.

Poverty, unemployment, injustice cause conflict in Nigeria – Buhari Rotimi Fadeyi

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resident Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said poverty, injustice and lack of job opportunities are mainly responsible for inter-communal and intra-communal conflicts in the country.

A statement issued by the senior special assistant to the President on media and publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari spoke while receiving a delegation from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, an organisation actively involved in the promotion of peace in Nigeria.

Buhari said to achieve enduring peace in the country, greater efforts must be made to eradicate poverty and injustice.

The President described ethnic and religious conflicts in parts of the country as outward manifestations of underlying problems of joblessness, injustice and poverty.

On conflicts between farmers and herdsmen,

Buhari said a plan to map out grazing areas would soon be presented to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum as a temporary solution to the frequent conflicts until cattle owners are persuaded to adopt other means of rearing their cattle.

The President commended the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue

for the relative peace that has returned to Plateau State as well as its ongoing activity in Southern Kaduna.

He agreed with the centre that dialogue is always preferred to the use of law and force in the resolution of conflicts.

Executive director of the centre, David Harland, told the President that following its success

in facilitating the settlement of the inter-ethnic and inter-religious conflicts in Plateau State, the group has moved to Kaduna State.

He said the techniques used in bringing peace to Plateau State would soon be deployed to deal with the Boko Haram insurgency and other conflicts in Nigeria.

FCT police arrest fake lunatic with firearm

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ederal Capital Territory, FCT, police command said it has arrested a male suspect who pretended to be a lunatic on January 20 around the Apo bridge.

FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen yesterday in Abuja.

Inalegwu said the suspect was apprehended by a police patrol team on a stop-and-search duty, following a tip-off.

He said when the police operatives searched him, a locally-made pistol and a polythene bag containing wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp

were recovered from him.

He advised members of the public to always report any suspicious movement to the police. The commissioner said the Apo Division Police Station is investigating the matter.

Meanwhile, 129 Inspectors of Police in the FCT Command recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, were decorated by Inalegwu.

He reminded the officers to see their promotion as a mark of additional responsibility to do more for the Force and the country.

The commissioner congratulated them and

urged them to rededicate themselves to duty.

ASP Peter Arin who spoke on behalf of the newly-promoted officers, said the promotion would spur them to work harder for the country. ``This promotion will enhance my work and make me work harder and fight criminality in the country,`` he said.

Arin also said the promotion was a good motivation for him and his colleagues to do more for the country.

He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, for considering them worthy for the promotion.

raigned along with Captain Ezekiel Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Adegboyega Sahib Olopoenia and a company, Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

The 1st to 5th defendants (Akpobolokemi, Captain Agaba, Nwakuche, Juan, Udoye) were alleged to have between October 30, 2014 and May 6, 2015 within the jurisdiction of the court, converted to their personal use N346,844,680, being property of NIMASA released to them for the implementation of Voluntary International Maritime Organisation Member State Audit Scheme, VIMSAS. They were also alleged to have on or about May 28, 2015 with a dishonest intent converted to their own use N257,000,000 released for the implementation of VIMSAS. The defendants were alleged to have with intent to defraud, knowingly forged a document titled ‘Re: Request For Payment as consultant for VIMSAS Administration Services,’ dated May 25, 2015 purported to have been issued by Aroward Consulting Limited.

The offences were said to be contrary to Section 409 and punishable under Section 285(1) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2011.

They were also alleged to have forged a document titled, ‘Re: Final Invoice for Consultancy services with respect to the development of VIMSAS Implementation framework, Reviews and Updates” dated April, 28, 2015.

Specially, Captain Olopoenia, Udoye, and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited were alleged to have on February 2, 2015 with a dishonest intent converted to their own use N16,000,000, being property of NIMASA. When the charge was read to them, all the defendants pleaded not guilty and their counsel urged the court to admit them to bail based on the existing condition granted them in sister cases pending before the Fed-

eral High Court.

Addressing the court, Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN) counsel to Akpobolokemi (1st defendant), informed the court that his client is facing three other similar charges before the Federal High Court in Lagos and had been granted bail.

He submitted that the Administration of Criminal Justice law encourages judicial officers to grant bail in liberal terms and conditions.

He urged the court to stand on the existing bail conditions granted Akpobolokemi, adding that there are sufficient materials before the court to enable it grant bail to the first defendant.

Besides, Nwobike drew the attention of the court to a ruling delivered by Justice Onigbanjo of an Ikeja High Court where an accused person was granted bail based on existing condition of bail granted by another court.

Counsel to the other defendants aligned with the submissions of Nwobike and urged the court to grant the defendants bail in liberal terms.

Ruling on the bail applications of the 1st to 5th defendants, Justice Adebiyi refused the request to admit the accused persons to bail based on existing conditions giving in sister cases at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

She held that it would be practically impossible for her to compel the sureties to produce the defendants if they (defendants) absconded.

Justice Adebiyi therefore granted the 1st to 5th defendants bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum.

The court however granted the 6th and 7th defendants bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

The sureties must be gainfully employed, reside in Lagos State and swear to an affidavit of means to be verified by the court.

The matter has been adjourned till February 24, 26 and 29 and March 18and 21 respectively for trial.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Army kills 14 insurgents, recover arms in Yobe N igeria Army says it has killed 14 Boko Haram insurgents and captured two others around Chirokusko village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area in Yobe.

Brigadier-General Mohammed Aliyu, General Officer Commanding, GCO, told newsmen in Damaturu on Monday that 16 assorted weapons and ammunitions had also been recovered from

the insurgents.

Aliyu said the terrorists sneaked into the area and were about settling down when the army ambushed them following a tip-off from patriotic citizens.

He commended the host communities for their cooperation which included providing security operatives with useful information. According to him, more troops have been deployed to

the area to enhance manpower to consolidate the gains recorded in the fight against insurgency.

“The Damaturu-BuniYadi-Biu road will soon be opened to motorists for economic activities to resume in the liberated areas,” he said.

The GOC said as part of efforts to boost the mo-

rale of troops, more than 10, 000 soldiers had been given special promotion, while 1,500 others were currently under consideration for promotion to their next rank.

According to the GOC, the army will continue to operate within the rules of engagement and with respect for hu-

man rights.

Aliyu said the closure of markets in some communities were based on security reasons and pleaded with people of the area to be patient, adding that the markets would soon be re-opened for business.

“We are aware of the inconveniences the market

closure might have caused the communities, but we are working hard to reopen them for economic activities to resume,” he assured.

The GOC called for improved cooperation between soldiers and the communities in order to collectively defeat insurgency in the country.

World Bank to support Nigeria’s transparency drive –Country Director

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orld Bank Group would soon embark on developmental programmes to support Federal Government governance, accountability and transparency drive, said an official.

Mr Rachid Benmessaoud, the World Bank Group Country Director for Nigeria, made this known on Monday when he visited the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Ogbonnaya Onu, in Abuja.

He said the World Bank ``is taking right steps to address the leading governance issues that will brighten Nigerian administration.

Benmessaoud said the institution would engage to do rapid recovery and peace building assessment as requested by the Government of Nigeria.

The country director

said the assessment would be presented in both hard and software formats to the Federal Government.

He said the bank had commenced conversation with cabinet members in order to formulate demands from the government of Nigeria in terms of the support to the development challenges in the country.

“We have heard from the cabinet members about diversifying the revenue from oil sector and we have been working with the ministries of agriculture and solid minerals in this particular area,” he said.

According to him, the World Bank will also assist Nigeria to improve its power sector. Responding, the minister commended the World Bank Group for its laudable projects all over the world and particularly in Nigeria.

Buhari, Osinbajo to attend Bello’s inauguration

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resident Muhammadu Buhari and his Vice, Professor Yemi Osinbajo are among dignitaries expected at the January 27 inauguration of new Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Lokoja.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja by Alhaji Ishak Ajibola, the Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee set up for the inauguration ceremony.

The statement said the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, governors, ministers and chieftains of All Progressives Congress, APC, were invited to the

event.

According to the statement, the event would hold at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja and feature cultural display among others side attractions. It stated that law enforcement agents have been directed to take strategic positions in and around the venue to ensure a hitchfree event. ``Motorists moving in and out of Lokoja are advised to comply with speed limit on the roads and obey traffic rules to avoid unnecessary traffic. ``The people are enjoined to be orderly, peaceful and cooperate with law enforcement agents,’’ the statement said.

Nigerian Students applying for placement in Foreign Institutions at the 2016 International Education Fair, in Lagos yesterday.

PHOTO:NAN

Stella Odua: Court to deliver judgment February 2 Wale Igbintade

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Federal High Court sitting in Lagos yesterday, fixed February 2 to deliver judgment in a suit filed by former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, seeking the enforcement of her fundamental right.

The suit which was fixed for judgment, could not proceed due to the absence of Justice Okon Abang, who has been

Wale Igbintade

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he arraignment of 15 individuals charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged N2.6 billion fraud was stalled yesterday due to the absence of the accused persons.

When the case was called, only the first accused was present in court.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Ibrahim Buba, adjourned the matter till February 9 for their ar-

transferred from the Lagos division.

Justice Abang had on December 1, 2015, adjourned the case for judgment, after counsels representing parties had adopted their written addresses before the court.

The applicant had filed the suit in August, 2015, seeking enforcement of her fundamental rights as guaranteed under the constitution.

Joined as respondents in the suit are; the Eco-

nomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, The Attorney General of the Federation, AGF and the Inspector General of Police.

On August 26, 2015, during the court’s vacation, the vacation judge, Justice Mohammed Yunusa, had issued an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants from taking any action pending the final determination of the

N2.6bn fraud: Absence of accused persons stall arraignment raignment.

The accused are: Peter Harris, Adekunle Oladosun, Okechi Egwu, Lulu Ndubuka, Oyowole Ariyo. UKabiru Bello, and J.E Ericsson.

Others are: Samson Ebie, Steve Obodomechine, Mikky Dons Nig. Limited, Mark Anaele, Ariyo Odunala, Peter Oriade, Olusola Fagbure and Obianwa Chuba.

They are charged on 20

counts bordering on conspiracy, intent to defraud, falsification of document, fraudulent alteration and diversion of over N2.6 billion belonging to MicMerah International Agency Limited.

Mr Gordy Uche (SAN) announced appearance for the prosecution, while Mr Niyi Adegbomire (SAN) announced appearance for the accused.

suit.

In the suit, the applicant is seeking an order, restraining the respondents from probing her over the purchase of two armoured BMW cars by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority under her watch in 2013.

The applicant averred that the respondents had planned to unleash repression against her, and try her on trumped up charges.

She urged the court to restrain the defendants from persecuting and humiliating her under the guise of anti-graft war.

Meanwhile, the AGF and EFCC had urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s suit for lack of merit.

They described the applicant’s claims as baseless and speculative, arguing that the claims could not be justified.

Adopting final addresses on December 1, 2015 counsel to the applicant, Mr Ajibola Oluyede urged the court to grant the prayers of the applicant.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

2 suspected kidnappers held with human head in Osun Boladale Bamigbola OSOGBO

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Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; his wife, Olufunso and a cross section of the elderly persons during the 5th Edition of the UPLIFTing the Aged programme organised to support the needy aged by Mrs. Amosun, to commemorate the 58th birthday anniversary of Senator Amosun at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, yesterday.

APC not behind military operations in Ondo Ojo Oyewamide AKURE

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ndo State chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, has washed its hands off the military operations in the coastal area of the state.

Military men were said to be in search of one of the exmilitant leaders in the state, Bibopiri Ajube.

Caretaker Chairman of Ese-Odo Local Government, Ebi Lubi, Chairman of Arogbo Ijaw National Front, Akubrisei James.

James had earlier claimed in a statement that APC orchestrated the military operations to gain advantage in the coming governorship election.

The party has however, described the allegation as ridiculous and puerile.

In a statement by Director of Media and Publicity, Steve Otaloro, the party said it was a comic relief of Shakespearean proportion.

It said: "For us, ongoing military operation is the best thing that has ever happened to the Riverine communities of Ondo State in the last 5 years, and a clear indication of the change that people voted for.

"We have always maintained that the facist regime of terror emplaced by the ex-militant leader and his Gallery Security Services in the Riverine communities of Ondo State with the active support of the Ondo State Governor,

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and other security men in the state will only lead us to a cul-de-sac as clearly evident in their activities after former President Goodluck Jonathan lost the presidential election.

"We noted that in recent times, unsuspecting young men are being lured with huge and mouth-watering sums of money from different riverine communities to be enlisted to carry out their nefarious and unpatriotic acts.

“These young men are intended to be trained in arms and weapons already stockpiled and used in the checkpoints and platforms mounted by members of the said Gallery Security Services traversing the Riv-

erine communities in Ondo State to Delta State.

"It is beyond doubt that the signs are ominous as seen from the recent visit of the Ministers of Niger Delta, Pastor Usani U. Usani, and the Minister of State for Niger Delta, Professor Claudius Daramola to the Riverine communities in Ondo State.

“The said ex-militants organised their thugs who successfully harassed and prevented the ministers from supervising uncompleted projects in the communities. This was the same way they hijacked ballot papers and prevented elections from holding in the riverine communities of Ondo State in the last general election.

FOMWAN, school proprietors', others visit Olubadan-designate

Marwa congratulates king-designate Kemi Olaitan IBADAN

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rominent Nigerians that include women groups, friends and associates have continued to pay homage to the Olubadan-designate and the current Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, at his Popoyemoja residence in Ibadan metropolis.

The house located on an expanse plots of land situated at Alusekere Compound, Popoyemoja Street in Ibadan SouthWest Local Government Area of Oyo State, has since the an-

nouncement of the demise of the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, Odugade 1, last week, became a beehive of activities.

The house has become a mecca of sort for groups, organisations, politicians, associates, women groups, chiefs, religious leaders, friends and families of the 87 year-old monarch to be.

Among the early callers to the house yesterday include, the leadership of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria, FOMWAN, Oyo State chapter led

by Iya Adini of Yorubaland, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, Na-

tional Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Ibadan Zone, led by Mr. Abidemi Olagoke, as well as the Baale Onisowo of Ibadanland.

Others are the Osi-Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Femi Olaifa, representative of the Iyalode of Ibadanland, Alhaja Aminat Abiodun, Mrs. Rukiyat Asagidigbi, a former commissioner in the state, Chief Adegboyega Arulogun, Alhaji Lateef Gbadamosi of the National Population Commission and Osi Bamofin of Ibadanland, Chief K. O. Latunji.

The Nigeria Union of Tailors, bread sellers, pepper sellers, traders within the area, heads of families, chiefs, Mogajis, clerics and other well wishers were also not left out.

High Chief Adetunji lauded his visitors for the visit as he prayed for them accordingly.

Speaking on behalf of her members, Alhaja Sekinat Lawal, said the purpose of the visit was to congratulate the king-designate and wish him well.She also advised him to be patient and know how to deal with people so that his tenure will be peaceful.

igeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Osun State Command, has arrested two suspects, Alaba Folawiyo and Mutiu Lawal, who had in their possession, a decomposing human head.

The suspects in a statement issued by Mr. Wale Folarin, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer of the command, dressed like lunatics and were hiding in an uncompleted building near Apomu junction in Ikire, the headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area, when they were picked up by security men.

The NSCDC said items recovered from the suspects includes a Blackberry phone hidden inside a drug pack, knife and perfume cans.

Other items like clothes,

school bags, shoes, wristwatches, Automated Tellar Machine Cards, ATM, electrical materials, roofing sheets, cooking utensils suspected to belong to the suspects’ victims were also found in the building.

According to the corps, information gathered revealed that the suspects have been in the area for a long time pretending to be insane while carrying out their nefarious activities with others who are now at large.

Meanwhile, five suspects who were riding in a truck which killed an unidentified middle-aged man along IfeIbadan road were arrested by the corps while the driver of the truck was still be hunted.

The said suspects have been handed over to the state Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC.

3 Lagos govt officials remanded for forgery, stealing Wale Igbintade

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hief Magistrate O. I. Adelaja of an Ebutemetta Chief Magistrate's Court, Lagos, has ordered the remand of three staffs of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment charged before the court on charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery, impersonation and stealing.

Those ordered to be remanded in prisons custody by the court were Babatunde Olaogun, 31; Babadola Adigun, 41; and Olanrewaju Jones, 40.

The three accused according to detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department, CID, Lagos State Police Command, Panti-Yaba, allegedly committed the offences between November 17 and December 4, 2015, at the Ministry of Enviroment, Alausa, Lagos.

The prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione informed the court that the three accused who claimed to be Legal Manager, Account Manager and Transport Manager of the ministry respectively, conspired together and forged a Local Purchase Order, LPO, which they used in stealing three Toyota Camry from an auto firm, Affordable Cars Limited.

The detectives particularly alleged that the first accused, Babatunde Olaogun, the master mind of the fraud, forged an LPO marked MOE 2950/49 dated, November 11, 2015, which they acted upon to steal the three Toyota Camry.

The chassis numbers of the three Camry's are LT4BFIFK6FR488931; 4T4BFIFR506879 and 4T4BFIFKFR506904 which is valued at N28. 5 million.

The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to and punishable under sections 409, 363, 378 and 285(10) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2011.

The three accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Upon the plea of the accused persons, counsel to the accused, Imonighara.

O, Sadik Lateefat and Spurgeon Ataene, asked the court to admit them to bail in the most liberal terms.

Ruling on the accused persons' bail application, Chief Magistrate Adelaja, admitted bail to the second and third accused person, Adigun Babalola and Jones Olarenwaju, in the sum of N100, 000 with one surety each; while the first accused person, Babatunde Olaogun was admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million with two sureties.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

South West

Friday, January 26, 2016

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Security: Lagos reads riot act to CDAs on closure of street gates Francis Suberu

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agos State government has frowned at a situation in which gates erected within streets and communities across the states are locked beyond the specified hours of the day and night, saying any street or community that fails to open its gates between 5.30am and 12 midnight

would have them permanently pulled down.

The warning was issued during a press briefing addressed by the senior special assistant to the governor on community affairs, Alhaji Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri, at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa yesterday.

At the briefing which

was equally attended by the Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon. Muslim Folami, and the special adviser to the governor on community and communications, Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, Alhaji Quadri stated that the state government is of the view that the gates are increasingly becoming se-

curity threats rather than security checks.

He said though the erection and closing of such gates may be desirable, the consequence on the overall urban efficiency, aesthetics and functionality, especially on traffic flow, poses difficult questions.

He said the gates often constitute obstruction to traffic, especially in areas

L-R: Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, University of Ibadan, Prof. Gbenisola Oke; Vice Chancellor, Prof. Idowu Olayinka, and widow of the Olubadan, Olori Moriyike Lana, during the condolence visit by the University of Ibadan’s Management to the Olubadan’s family in Ibadan yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

N1bn BoI fraud: EFCC arraigns two suspects Matthew Irinoye

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conomic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, yesterday arraigned two men, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus before a Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, over alleged N1.4 billion Bank of Industry, BoI, fraud.

While Enoche and Enebeli were arraigned on a five-count charge, Johnson Salako, was however at large and was absent in court.

EFCC counsel, Babatunde Sonoiki, told the court presided by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye that Salako has been given administrative bail but that he has jumped the bail granted him by the EFCC and is nowhere to be found.

Sonoiki said the accused persons were alleged to have “conspired to commit felony and steal, an offence contrary to Section 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.”

The accused were also

alleged to have “stolen N1,424,774,000 belonging to the BoI” by making “falsely representation to the bank that the facility was meant to finance a project.”

The prosecution further alleged that the defendants, contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State, also “forged a Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, of the Lands Registry of Lagos State which you pledged as security to obtain the facility.”

Two title deeds were

Yabatech rector heads committee of federal poly rectors Saidat Alausa

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ommittee of Federal Polytechnics COFER, Rectors, has appointed the rector, Yaba College of Technology, Yabatech, Dr. Margaret Ladipo, as its chairman for the next two years.

The appointment of a new executive was the high point of COFER’s 21st regular meeting held in Abuja over the week-

end.

Also at the meeting, the rector, Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti, Dr. Akande, was appointed vice chairman, while the rector, Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, Dr. S. M. Musa, was appointed COFER’s treasurer.

In his valedictory message, the outgoing chairman, Dr. Phillipa Idiogho of the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi who was rep-

resented by Dr. Olatinwo thanked members for their unalloyed support during her tenure.

She prayed that the new executive pilots the committee to greater heights.

Dr. Ladipo, in her acceptance speech, solicited the support and cooperation of all members, promising to do her best to move the committee to the next level.

also alleged to have been forged and presented by the accused to the bank to obtain the facility.

The accused persons however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Justice Ipaye, however, remanded them in prison custody pending the hearing of their bail applications and adjourned the matter till February 4, 2016.

where such street gates or barricades are on roads that serve as thoroughfares or alternative link routes.

“Observing the effects of these structures on the people, the economy of the state, lives and property, the Lagos State government in 2009 ordered that all gates or barricades leading to major roads in the state could only be locked between 12 midnight and 5am and that such gates must be manned by security guards in case of emergency;” Quadri said.

He said as the years rolled by, the directives were jettisoned by many community development associations, CDAs, such that gates are locked in several places throughout the day and night, caus-

ing much inconveniences to road users. He added that the state government is now ready to revisit the law.

His words: “In view of the danger and challenges posed by street gates and barricades to the public, government has decided to revisit the directive on street gates and barricades,” warning that “within seven days of this briefing, all CDAs and CDCs having gated streets and barricade should henceforth operate on the regulated hours of 12 am and 5.30am and open between 5:31am and 11.59pm.

The residents should engage security men.

“Any contravention of this directive will attract government pulling down the gates immediately.”

NECO adopts CBT for objective examinations

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ational Examinations Council, NECO, yesterday said that it is concluding plans to migrate from the paper-pencil test mode to a computer-based test, CBT, mode for its objective examinations.

Registrar of the council, Prof. Abdulrashid Garba, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

NAN reports that the management of the council had, in 2015, announced plans to adopt the CBT mode for its objective questions.

According to him, migrating to the CBT would make the examination less

cumbersome but become more cost effective.

“We have almost finalised the procedure on the CBT mode for our objective examinations.

“As soon as we have a governing board in place, the plan will be tabled before it for discussion and approval. How soon this is achieved, depends on the Federal Government.

“We are equally working toward a complete migration to the CBT for all our examinations. ``It is not easy to conduct theoretical, practical and oral components of our examinations.

Oyo, Osun Customs impounds over N10m foreign rice Kemi Olaitan, Ibadan

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yo/Osun command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, has seized 1,165 bags of smuggled foreign rice with a duty paid value of over N10 million.

New Area Controller of the Command, Mr. Temitope Ogunkua, made the disclosure yesterday while addressing journalists at the headquarters of the command in Ibadan.

He said the command is prepared to make its territory uncomfortable for

smugglers, stating that recalcitrant smugglers should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.

According to him, the smuggled rice was intercepted by the crack squad of the command along the Saki-Oyo road axis with one suspect and six fairly used vehicles arrested.

The Customs boss who maintained that maximum generation of revenue is dear to the heart of the Comptroller General of Customs, insisted that the command under his leadership also has zero tolerance for corruption and revenue

leakages in all its ramifications.

Ogunkua however assured genuine rice importers that rice importation and duty payment through the border is still approved, adding that the command is ready to facilitate this.

He said: “I am showcasing two six-tyre trucks laden with an estimated 900 bags of smuggled foreign rice. Also, six fairly used vehicles, comprising three Volkswagen Golf cars, two Mazda E2000 bus (red and white) and one green coloured Mazda 323 car were arrested.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Imo govt blames Ohakim for over bloated workforce

• Labour issues 7 days ultimatum on sacked staff Chris Njoku OWERRI

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ontrarily to the sack letters issued to some workers last week, Imo State Government yesterday denied the sacking of 3,000 workers, insisting that workers were neither sacked nor downsised in the said parastatals.

However, it blamed the Ikedi Ohakim administration for the increased wage bill of the state which the government said is not comparative to that of any neighbouring state.

In a news briefing yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Commissioner for Information, Chief Chidi Ibeh explained that no worker has been sacked, but they were technically suspended.

“Workers at the parastatals were not sacked, they were temporarily and technically suspended to make room for evaluation and staff audit after which only competent and credible workers will be retained.

Government did not sack anybody, but to make the parastatals more profitable and productive in its operations,” he said.

The commissioner however, noted that some of the workers may need to reapply after the staff audit, adding that former administration had bloated wage bill which today snowballed into bogus salaries the state had been paying its workers.

He said: “The immediate past administration is the root cause of this bloated wage bill. It started with the introduction of bogus and bloated salaries that is not comparable to that of any of our neighbouring states. It was a booby trap laid by the previous administration to pitch workers against government.”

Ibeh explained that Imo workforce and wage bill are consequently beyond the carrying capacity of the state and cannot be funded by the state’s monthly receipts from the federation account and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR. “This is a big ship scenario. The ship is overloaded and if we do not unburden the ship, it will sink. In other words, the resources of the state can no longer sustain

the state, if we fold our hands and do not make the necessary sacrifices, the entire state will collapse, he added.”

Meanwhile, Imo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress yesterday, gave the state government seven days ultimatum to reverse its sacking of 3,000 workers from its 19 parastatals and agencies.

NLC chairman in the state, Mr Austin Chilakpu, announced this at a news conference shortly after an emergency meeting with local government health workers in Owerri.

Chilakpu said that labour’s resolve to give the ultimatum following reports from health workers that the government was allegedly using its agents to intimidate workers in their offices.

Chilakpu added that labour leaders still disbelieved that the radio announcement sacking workers in the agencies came from government.

“Within seven days, if government failed to refute the announcement, we will now take it that the radio announcement came from government, and we will now know the next line of action to take,” he said

Okorocha

An overloaded bus with smuggled second hand clothing’s impounded by Nigerian Customs Service in Owerri, yesterday

Biafra: Court to rule on Kanu's bail application Friday Doosuur Iwambe ABUJA

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Federal High Court sitting in Abuja will on Friday January 29, 2016 decide whether to grant bail or not to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu and his co-accused standing trial for treasonable felony and unlawful possession of firearms.

The presiding judge, Justice James Tsoho, fixed the date after counsel to Kanu, M. U Udechukwu, told the court that the offences for which the defendants were charged are bailable.

Kanu, the Director of

Radio Biafra along with two others, David Nwawusi and Benjamin Madubugwu were being prosecuted on a six-count charge, bordering on treasonable felony and unlawful possession of firearms preferred against them by the Federal Government.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Udechukwu cited sections 158 and 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 to buttress his point and also added that the submissions of the prosecution in their counter affidavit are not sufficient enough to warrant the court denying the defendants bail.

Opposing the bail application, prosecution counsel, Mohammed Diri, who is the

Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, prayed the court to refuse the bail application brought before it by the defendants.

He informed the court that Kanu had admitted that he is a British citizen and that he sneaked into the country, adding that there is the possibility of him sneaking out if admitted to bail.

Justice Tsoho had last week ordered that Kanu and his co-defendants be remanded in prison custody after a heated argument between the prosecution, Mohammed Diri and the defence counsel, Chuks Muoma.

While the DPP wanted the defendants to be remanded

Enugu police arraign man for killing bank manager

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olice in Enugu State yesterday arraigned one Obinna Onyekauche, 32, for alleged robbery and murder of a bank manager, Mr. Uche Ibiam, at Liberty Estate, Enugu in 2012.

The Investigating Police Officer, IPO, Mrs Rhoda Akpa, told an Enugu High Court that the case was reported to the department in December 2012.

Akpa said the command set up a team of eight detectives to investigate the report.

She said the victim was driving along Liberty Estate, Independence Layout when he was allegedly robbed of his Nokia and Blackberry phones by the suspect.

She said upon investigation, the victim’s call history in his Blackberry phone was traced to Akaegbe-Ugwu and then to one Henrietta Nwachukwu who was arrested and questioned.

The officer said Nwachukwu confessed that the phone was given to her by the accused in her shop at Akaegbe-Ugwu.

She said that Nwachukwu who claimed that she never knew where the accused was living later took them to the suspect’s house through a friend where he was arrested.

Akpa further said the suspect made a confessional statement on how his gang killed the bank manager and took them to the scene of the incident.

She said a search was conducted in the suspect’s house and a double barrel gun with 18 live ammunition, two pistols with live

cartridges and four face caps were recovered.

The officer noted that as the investigation was in progress, a directive came from the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Lagos to transfer the matter to them.

In a cross examination, the suspect denied writing any statement to the police as the leader of the detectives destroyed his statement claiming that it would implicate them.

Justice Catherine Nwobodo adjourned the matter till February 29 for hearing.

in the custody of the DSS for security reasons and convenience in conveying the accused persons to the court for their trial, Muoma, the defence counsel, prayed the court that his clients be moved to the prison for easy access.

The Federal Government has accused Kanu of plotting to split Nigeria, by creating a Biafra Republic with South East and South South states, and parts of Kogi and Benue states, as component units.

Kanu, who was first arraigned before Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed, told the court before commencement of the trial that he preferred being held in the detention, than subjecting himself to a trial, which outcome will not be respected.

He said his previous trials had various outcomes that were abused or neglected by the Department of State Security, DSS, and announced his outright objection to the trial in the court.

Diri told the court that based on section 396 (2) of the constitution, the defendant had no right to object to being tried by the court until after the plea is heard.

But, Justice Mohammed said he was standing down from the case, saying Kanu had the right to reject the trial, “after all, justice is rooted on confidence.

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News

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

11

FG’s disregard for arbitration stalled N167bn Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project

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ailure by the Federal Government to accept the arbitration offered by Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited has been identified as being responsible for stalling the ongoing rehabilitation of the ever busy LagosIbadan Expressway.

Minister of Works, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, last week spoke on the challenges being faced by the Federal Government on the N167bn project.

He said: “The LagosIbadan Expressway is a story of what investors don’t like.

The Federal Government

granted a concession to a private company (Company A) and later withdrew and cancelled it. Government then entered into a construction and financing agreement with another company (Company B). Company A went to court and got an order to cancel the financing agreement made with Company B. “As things stand, work has been stopped on the construction of the road. The construction companies cannot get financing because of the court order, so they have laid off about 2,000 workers, in an economy that has so

much to do and needs to create work.

“These two companies are Nigerian companies investing in Nigeria, which is a positive sign because the local investors are the most important to any economy.

"Regrettably, while not going into the merits and demerits of the Federal Government’s cancellation of Company A’s concession, it sends a not welcoming message to foreign investors if the decision was without basis or influenced by politics, which I cannot comment upon.

“If that was the case, as

a foreign investor, I will be asking myself the kind of treatment that awaits me as a foreigner if the government does that to a citizen.

But that is only one half of the story.”

Bi-Courtney Highway Services Limited had in a letter to the Federal Government, through former Minister of Works, Mike Oneolememen, dated January 29, 2013 signed by Chief T.K. Akinbami, called for out of court settlement on the case it instituted over the cancelled contract.

But Bi-Courtney officials said the offer was ignored by

the last administration.

The letter reads: “We refer to the letter dated 19th November 2012 wherein the concession granted to our Consortium vide your letter of 8th May 2009, was purportedly terminated pursuant to Article 16.1 of the Concession Agreement (Agreement) for failure to remedy the alleged breaches complained of in your letter dated 28th August, 2012.

“Please note that the Consortium disputes the purported termination of the concession.

“We refer to our letter dated 26th September 2012 (copy attached) wherein we responded seriatin to the issues raised in your letter dated 28th August 2012 and demonstrated clearly that the Ministry's purported notice of the non compliance with the Agreement is premature and incurably invalid.

“We also emphasised the need for the Grantor to comply with the Agreement before it alleges non-compliance by another party.

“Notwithstanding the above position, as committed patriots to the development of Nigeria, we continued with the project and recommended palliative works of 5th August 2012.

“Subsequently, we engaged a major construction company to commence actual reconstruction works on 23rd September 2012 and the company was active on site, until our receipt of the letter purportedly terminating the Concession.

“We firmly believe that a dispute has arisen which should have been resolved in accordance with dispute resolution mechanism provided under Article 21 of the Agreement prior to the invocation of any termination clause.

Lassa fever: Lagos declares war on rats, kills 7,243 Francis Suberu

L Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari (left), accompanied by Director of NDDC in rivers, Mrs. Akwagaga Enyia, presenting to Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Mr. Musa Kimo, keys of the residential quarters built by the NDDC for police personnel, in Port Harcourt , yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Strong institutions must be in place to fight corruption —Emmanuel Rotimi Fadeyi

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kwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel has expressed support for the anticorruption war of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking with State House Correspondents after meeting with Buhari at the Presidential Villa, the governor said Nigerians must cooperate with the Federal Government to tackle corruption.

According to him, the fight

against corruption would ensure development of strong institutional structures.

Emmanuel called on other state governors to support the anti corruption crusade.

He said: “We must tackle corruption. I believe it’s essential to put in place strong institutional structures to fight corruption. To set up structures that would enable systems to run effective without interference. All hands must be on desk in fighting corruption.”

He said the fight against

corruption must start with every individual, saying it was the sure way that it would yield the desired result.

“When we’re talking about corruption we’ll start looking round. Why can’t we start looking at ourselves?

Let’s start from even you as a person, what is corruption?

It’s not only when money exchanges hands that is corruption.

“Somebody trying to influence an unjust cause, it’s corruption one way or the other.

Corruption is a broad concept,

if you are given 10 and you're not honest about it, you will never be honest about it when you have 10m at hand,” Emmanuel said.

He explained that corruption was not in terms of magnitude, stressing that it was a core value system that really needs to be analysed.

“We strongly support the fight against corruption. All the governors in Nigeria are waging the same war in their different domains, and trying to set up structures trying to see how we can minimise.

agos State Government, through the E nv i ro n m e n t a l Health Officers has declared war on rodents, especially rats, killing over 7,243 to curtail the outbreak of Lassa fever.

Speaking at the sensitisation campaign of the state health workers, organised by the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs yesterday, President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Samuel Akingbehin, said his association had so far carried out anti-rodent exercise in eight local governments in the state.

Akingbehin said the derating exercise in Onigbongbo, Oshodi, Oke-Odo, Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye, Mile 12 and Alaba-Rago, markets had led to the death of 7,243 rats.

He said eradicating rats in the markets was part of the Environmental Health Officers efforts to curb the spread of Lassa fever in the state, saying the programme started on January 14.

He said: “We are not rest-

ing on our oars. We have been killing them with rodenticides. The exercise is strategic and it is our effort toward the prevention of communicable disease.

“We decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date.

“It took us about three hours to cover Oshodi Market when our members went there for the exercise.

“This Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 6pm with about 400 EHOs to de-rat the market. All rats in the state must die.”

In his address at the sensitisation campaign, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Mr. Muslim Folami said one of the steps to prevent the spread of Lassa fever is to avoid contacts with rats.

The commissioner said Lagos State, being a pro-active and responsive government has provided drugs and other materials that have been prepositioned at designated facilities across the state.

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North

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Police confirms arrest of suspects in Adamawa attack

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damawa State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gazzali Mohammed, has confirmed the arrest of some suspects in connection with Sunday’s attack on four villages in Girei Local Government Area of the state.

Mohammed who did

not give the number of those arrested, said 15 people, including a divisional police officer, DPO, lost their lives in the attack.

“Fifteen people were killed, including a DPO, while among those injured were some military personnel,” Mohammed

said.

He debunked speculations that the incident was an attack by Boko Haram, adding that it was purely an attack by Fulani herdsmen as reprisal over the killing of a 10-year-old Fulani boy.

News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the

early morning of Sunday attack affected Demsare, Koh, Ndikajam, Tabongo and Koh villages where the principal of Government Day Secondary School, Koh, Mr. John Buba, was also killed.

Meanwhile, the state government has condemned the attack and

Governor of Borno State (left), Kashim Shettima, presenting a souvenir to the Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole, during the minister’s health sector assessment visit, in Maiduguri, yesterday.

Budget responsible for delay in reimbursement of money spent on FG roads –Fashola WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

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inister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has disclosed that the 2016 budget is responsible for the delay in reimbursing states that rehabilitated Federal Government highways.

Fashola disclosed this while speaking in Lokoja at the end of his inspection tour of the Abuja-Lokoja road yesterday.

He said he was on his way to Geregu to see the state of the power plant there, adding that he would also inspect Federal roads constructed by the Kogi State govern-

ment for which claims are being made.

On his assessment of the Abuja-Abaji-Lokoja high way, he said the work is in progress.

He disclosed that the Federal Government started with the AbujaAbaji-Lokoja highway where some progress has been made, stressing that

the work needs to be completed.

He said the 2015 budget made very little provision for road works.

“So, with the 2016 budget, hopefully, if passed, we will be able to address some of these problems and get some of the contractors and workers back to site.”

tan: “People may ask: ‘why do we need another inter-faith platform;’ let me say that the more, the merrier. We have different people with different views and connections; every platform is important for us to achieve this elusive peace.

“We believe that without peace there would be no stability and without stability there would be no development.”

The sultan maintained that the board, like any order platform, would advise where necessary, pointing out that “this board is not replacing any institutions like the CAN, JNI, etc.”

Also speaking, the

president of the Christian Council of Nigeria, CCN, Emmanuel Udofia, recalled that about three years ago the World Council of Churches, WCC, and Royal Ahl Al-Bayt Foundation, RAABF, visited Nigeria to make onthe-spot assessment and engaged stakeholders over the incessant Muslim/Christian conflicts in the country.

“After the one-week working visit, the joint delegation issued a report and among the recommendations made was the establishment of a centre for documentation of truth to be jointly run by muslims and Christians.

He said the centre would document truth as well as promote peace and reconciliation.

Udofia said the centre would have two ceremonial presidents, Prince Ghazi, the president of AaI AI bayt Institute and secretary general of WCC, while the sultan and president of CCN would be ceremonial national chairmen.

Other board members are Professor D.0.Noibi, Rev. Yusuf Ibrahim Wushishi, Khalid Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Atiku Balarabe Gusau, Mrs. Uzoaku Juliana, Rev. Timothy Yahaya and Hajiya Aishat Ahmed Hassan.

Sultan, others to embark on nationwide peace campaign A ZA MSUE KADUNA

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ultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, yesterday said only Nigerians that couild work towards achieving peace for the country as nobody could import peace from abroad.

Sultan who stated this in Kaduna during the inauguration of the National Governing Board, NGB, for Inter-Religious Centre, said the board members would be moving to every nook and cranny of the country to sue for peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.

According to the sul-

called for calm.

Commissioner of Information, Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, said govern-

ment has summoned an emergency security meeting to discuss the issue.

Benue South rerun: Youth Vanguard drums support for David Mark

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doma Youth Vanguard, the umbrella body of young people in the nine local government areas of Benue South senatorial zone of Benue State at the weekend called on all those working against the interest of Idoma nation ahead of the forthcoming rerun election between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, to perish the idea.

The body, in a statement signed by its president, Mike Ocheibi, said the selfdetermination agenda of the Idoma people could not be sacrificed on the altar of external forces which want to marginalise and subject the people to second class status in the political equation of Benue State.

Ocheibi restated that it was by a deliberate decision that the Idoma people elected Senator Mark as their torch bearer, considering his track record of achievements and unwavering commitment towards the development of Idoma nation.

Ocheibi said: “We, as a people, elected Senator Mark. We have not decided otherwise. Those who are ganging up against him are

against Idoma people because we overwhelmingly elected him. No amount of conspiracy can change our position.

“We are not unmindful of the conspiracy especially from the seat of government in Makurdi. We are aware of the orchestrated evil plot to truncate the Idoma dream using some surrogates in guise of the election.”

Regrettably, Ocheibi pointed out, the Benue State deputy governor, Mr. Benson Abounu, has told Nigerians that the APC has come to snatch Mark’s seat in the Senate.

He listed development projects already attracted to Benue South that made the zone the envy of other areas as, among others, the various rural electrification projects, health centres, skill acquisition centres in the four federal constituencies of the zone, the multi-billion naira Otobi water dam to address the perennial water problem in the area, the establishment of the National Open University of Nigeria, Otukpo study centre, as well as the legendary Oweto/ Loko bridge and the Federal University of Medical Sciences.

Boko Haram: FG to establish trauma centre in N’East INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

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ederal Government has concluded arrangements for the establishment of trauma centres in the North East and other areas affected by the Boko Haram crisis to treat victims before the end of this year.

It will also set up healthcare centres/clinics in each of the ward areas of the federation in order to provide healthcare delivery services at the doorstep of the masses.

Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewale, disclosed this yesterday when he led other senior health officials on a courtesy call on Governor Kashim Shettima at the Government House in Maiduguri, the Borno

State capital.

Professor Adewale said he and his entourage were in the state on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari as part of Federal Government team to assess the general health system in the North East and how best to restore it back to its lost glory following the deadly activities and destruction caused by Boko Haram.

Responding, Governor Shettima thanked the minister for the visit which he described as timely as his administration has started rebuilding all the communities ravaged by insurgents.

Shettima said virtually all healthcare centres were destroyed by the insurgent, leaving the people of the state to survive at the mercy of God.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

SUPER TUESDAY With discipline in budget execution Nigeria will work 14/35 —Owan-Enoh

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13

Politics

Falae, Ladoja and the arms fund

Two prominent Yoruba leaders cum politicians allegedly had their hands soiled recently as they were said to have been partakers in the looting of $2.1bn arms fund. EBERE NDUKWU in this report looks at the alleged involvement of Chief Olu Falae and Senator Rashidi Ladoja in the arms deal fund saga, the moral issue and how the allegation of money collection has scattered their political parties as they were openly derided by party members.

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he revelation by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Chairman, Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih that he gave former secretary to the government of the federation and one-time presidential contender, Chief Olu Falae and former Oyo State governor, Senator Rashidi Ladoja N100milion each from the N400million that he was alleged to have collected from former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki being part of $2.1bn arm fund has shocked many Nigerians especially their followers in the South West.

The two political leaders were alleged to have unlawfully received N100m each from the controversial fund, but have argued that they only collected the money as leaders of their political parties, to help rally their members to support the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate, former President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid.

While none of them have denied collecting N100 million from Chief Tony Anenih, the erstwhile chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, BoT, their position has remained that they were unaware that the money given to them by Anenih was the money meant for arms purchase to fight the Boko Haram insurgency, with Falae insisting that he will never return any money.

According to Falae and Ladoja, the Social Democratic Party, SDP and Accord Party leaders respectively, after reaching an agreement to support the former president’s re-election bid; it was legitimate for them to receive financial empowerment to put it into effect.

Falae, without any show of remorse or regret openly vowed not to refund the N100 million he collected on behalf of his party explaining that the amount was given to him for onward delivery to his party, to assist sell ex-president Jonathan’s second term bid.

While addressing a press conference in Abuja through the party’s national publicity secretary, Dr. Abdul Ahmed Isaiq, Falae insisted that his party would not return any money to the government coffers, since the money it got was neither from Col. Sambo Dasuki nor office of the National Security Adviser, NSA. He called on government to hold Anenih, the source of the money, rather than either himself or his party, liable.

“In terms of refund of money, I want to say here that those people who are refunding money are those who got their money directly from the arms deal fund. Our fund did not come from the arms deal, our fund came from an electoral alliance with the PDP and we knew that the PDP had a fund raising committee that gathered billions of naira and PDP had been in government for 16 years.

Falae

Falae, without any show of remorse or regret openly vowed not to refund the

N100 million he collected on behalf of his party explaining that the amount was given to him for onward delivery to his party, to assist sell ex-president

Jonathan’s second term bid.

“So, with that, we knew that the PDP had the capacity to fund the alliance that was formed with them by the SDP. “We, as a political party knew that the PDP was a capable hand in the electoral alliance which we entered with them.

And we equally knew that the PDP had a fund raising, where it generated over N20 billion down.

“So, whether the money came from Col. Sambo Dasuki or his office is what we don’t know and it is left for them to ask Chief Tony Anenih to explain, he said.

While some Nigerians may see reason with them, the question numerous other Nigerians are asking is whether both leaders are not looking at the morality of receiving payments to back the deal, especially when their campaign organisations were not collapsed into the PDP’s presidential campaign.

Another question also begging for an answer is whether

Ladoja these leaders and their parties actually did campaign for Jonathan or the PDP because the election results failed to show any effort from them.

Another issue is that the revelation of the money collected by the SDP and Accord Party leadership have polarised their parties as many of the parties’ members were not aware of any money received on their behalf.

Already, members of their parties, especially Accord Party members have called on their leader, Ladoja to return the money, saying that at no time was any leader intimated them of the money and neither was any money shared among state chapters of their party.

Also, none of the party members has come to claim that he receive any money in respect to the mobilisation of Jonathan’s election..

Accord Party, also in a communiqué signed by its national chairman, Muhammad L. Nalado, on behalf of the National Working Committee, NWC, suspended its national secretary, Nureni Adisa, over his alleged confession that the party collected the N100 million given to its national leader, Ladoja by Anenih, saying that the party did not at any time mandate any person to collect; neither did it receive any money from Ladoja or any other person.

The party also dissociated itself from a confessional letter allegedly written to the EFCC by its scribe and advised the commission and other anti-graft agencies to disregard the letter as it did not emanate from the party’s leadership.

The leadership of the Accord Party in Edo State through the national secretary of the party has also called on Ladoja to return the N100m, saying that the Federal Government should prosecute him in order to recover his share of the arms deal scam.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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Politics

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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With discipline in budget execution Senator John Owan-Enoh represents Central Senatorial District of Cross River state at the National Assembly.

Owan-Enoh is also the Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance. In this interview with RICHARD NDOMA, he throws more light on the 2016 federal government budget, the deplorable state of federal roads, the gale of defections from the PDP to the APC in Cross River among other issues of national importance. Excerpts: in the Senate, that I should keep doing that.

So it is not true and I need you to get out of that mindset. In the Senate, I am speaking.

The difference is that Victor Ndoma-Egba that was there was the Senate leader and on any matter on the floor he is the one that would speak, he led the Senate. You need to understand the legislature, he is the one that would move a motion, the minority leader will second, and he (Victor) sponsors every bill that comes from the executive. If I was a nobody they wouldn’t have been talking about me being minority leader at the beginning. I emerge as Chairman Finance Committee and I am in the opposition. I wasn’t expecting to become anything in the Senate but I emerged as chairman finance. I was the Chairman of the joint Senate committee that considered the medium term expenditure framework and passed it. I am currently the Chairman of the joint Senate committee that is investigating the Treasury Single Account, TSA. And this is within a period of six to seven months and I still have about three years and some months. So the Cross River voice is not lost and would not be lost.

Members of your party, the PDP, are seriously opposed to the 2016 budget of the federal government. In fact, they said it is not feasible. What is your take on this?

I don’t think opposition to the budget should be on party lines. I believe that in all fairness we can all give it a chance to work.

Every budget remains a proposal, no matter how well intentioned, we need to see it implemented first. For me really I don’t think at this point we should oppose the budget.

We should all give it a chance to work. The estimates, the parameters, the assumptions can be realized. Why not? All what we require is discipline, whether you are APC or PDP. Buhari as President has come up as someone who is very discipline. Leadership matters and means a lot. The perception about the President, I believe is very positive. If we take that discipline into the running of government and then the budget I believe everything will work well.

By your estimation what do you think the people of Cross River should expect as a benefits from 2016 budget even though that budget is alleged to be controversial ?

In all my years in politics, I haven’t been part of the executive before. The budget preparation up to the estimate was made as an executive bill and once it was made they took a recess. We need to get back and then look at the details of the budget when it becomes available and then we begin to engage. May be at that point I can say something categorically on the budget.

For me really I don’t think at this point we should oppose the budget. We should all give it a chance to work. The estimates, the parameters, the assumptions can be realized. Why not? All what we require is discipline, whether you are APC or PDP. Buhari as President has come up as someone who is very discipline. Leadership matters and means a lot. The perception about the President, I believe is very positive. If we take that discipline into the running of government and then the budget I believe everything will work well.

You are a senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District what are you and your colleagues from the Northern and Southern senatorial district of Cross River state doing or intend to do to attract federal government or its relevant agency to come and salvage the situation of very bad and deplorable roads in Cross River state?.

In our own case as lawmakers we do our best to ensure that certain things are done but implementation is really the problem.

Implementation remains the problem because where resources are not equivalent perhaps to the things that need to get done; people get things done through favors. Unfortunately, sadly you are asking this question because you know the road to my vil-

Owan-Enoh

Corruption is corruption. If people corruptly enrich themselves I believe they should be held accountable. lage is not a good road. A contract awarded since 2009 by NDDC, the state administration has done all the roads linking to that main road but because of that technicality of not being able to award that contract when there is an existing contract, everything was stalled. What is going on in our State and our constituency is not because of lack of effort, there have been so much effort by lawmakers, myself inclusive, to get these roads fixed.

Even the little work that is even going on is as a result of that effort. Sermatech is somewhere along that road, I am sure when some of you travel you still see Sermatech. They are sustained there only because of the little effort of getting N5billion into 2014 budget then. We would continue to make efforts, we would not relent.

of federal roads by FERMA and other federal government agencies are as a result of you and the other two senators representing Cross River at the National Assembly not really pressing on the federal government to rehabilitate the roads? These critics also alleged that you `ve not been speaking in the senate as compared to the lawmaker you succeeded?.

I don’t agree with what you have said. I don’t know what you watch because that is not the feedback that I get. Recently, the former deputy governor of Cross River State, Matthias Offoboche was buried, I have not seen retired Brigadier Anthony for a while, I attended that burial and when I was exchanging pleasantries with people and I met him, he said the trouble I was giving in the But critics are saying that the neglect House of Reps that he has seen me again

If you were to describe your relationship with the former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma Egba what would you say your relationship with him is like?

I do not have any problem with him. Our relationship has not gone bad. Elections are over and the person that wins an election is the person that should have the larger heart. Without prejudice to the fact that I ran against him, that wouldn’t have affected how much respect that I had for him and still have for him. Without going into details of it, I just need to assure that I think we have a good relationship and it would continue to be good.

What is your take on the allegation that President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption fight is targeted against the opposition PDP ?

Corruption is corruption. If people corruptly enrich themselves I believe they should be held accountable. I don’t want to think here that there is a certain partisanship in the prosecution. I think we are judging too early. Let’s allow it one full circus.

The new administration is just about seven months old and if this early those who are being prosecuted appeared to be all PDP, I believe it is because PDP was the party in power for 16 years. I believe it would come round. I believe that the President will not allow himself at end of the day to be seen to be a President who targets only opposition in the fight against corruption Gov. Benedict Ayade`s administration in Cross River state is said to be embarking on very gigantic projects even when the state financial resources is said to be very lean. Worthy to be mention of the projects is the 260km super highway, deep seaport and garment fac-

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

15

A PUBLICATION OF NATIONAL MIRROR NEWSPAPERS

NDDC gives N130m residential quarters to police

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he Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Monday, gave a block of two-storey building, worth N130 million, to the Nigerian Police in Port Harcourt.

Inaugurating the building, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, Acting Managing Director, NDDC, said the project, awarded in 2013, cost the commission N130 million.

Semenitari said the residential quarters, made up of a block of six, three bedroom flats, would improve the living conditions and boost the morale of police personnel in the state. ``President Muhammadu Buhari gave the commission a marching order to ensure quick completion and inauguration of projects scattered across the region. ``This marching order entails that we must immediately begin to complete projects to serve the purpose for which they were conceived and improve the living conditions of the people. ``The residential quarters awarded in 2013 at a cost of N130 million was part of a broad-based partnership with the Nigeria Police, aimed to add value to the living conditions of its personnel. ``It is our belief that this building will boost the morale of police personnel and improve security and economic situation of the state and region. ``The building is first in what we intend doing in the coming months to ensure effective partnership with the police and others for improved security in the region”, she said.

Semenitari said the commission was collaborating with all major stakeholders on ways to improve the economic situation and end rising insecurity in the region.

She said the commission was compiling list of all uncompleted projects in the nine states of the region with a view to completing them to reduce sufferings of the people.

According to her, Buhari is interested and committed to the peace and sustainable development of the region.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Musa Kimo, commended NDDC, saying that the building would reduce accommodation deficit faced by police personnel in the state.

He said the building would accommodate senior police officers, while assuring that the accommodation would be maintained.

Lassa fever: A’Ibom records 2 suspected cases, 1 confirmed case

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r Dominic Ukpong, the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, on Monday, said two suspected cases of Lassa fever were recorded in the state.

He made the disclosure at the inauguration of a taskforce on the eradication of Lassa fever in Akwa Ibom in Uyo. According to him, one of the suspected victims absconded, while the second case happened to be a person under treatment for HIV. Ukpong urged the people of Akwa Ibom to improve on their sanitary conditions to eliminate the disease from the state.

He added that since the state had been identified among the 20 states with the pandemics, people must observe things that were required to end the disease.

The commissioner, however, confirmed that a third person, a 53-year-old woman who sold crayfish, had died of the fever.

He said that ``as I am talking to you, Akwa Ibom has two suspected cases and one confirmed case and the victim is now late. ``The confirmed case, a 53-year-old woman who used to sell crayfish had died. Her test result came out after she had died. ``One of the person with suspected case has absconded.

The third case is someone that has been under treatment for HIV. This shows how serious this problem has become in the state. ``We are worried because of the fact that during the

Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel (right), being received by Controller of Prisons in Akwa Ibom, Dr. Regina Akpan, during his inspection visit to Ikot Ekpene Prisons, recently.

Christmas period, the 53-yearold woman got in contact with some of her family members and some of them had already travelled back to other states before she took ill on January 5 and then went to a private hospital where she was attended to. ``The doctors suspected at the private clinic that it was a bigger health issue and referred her to the University of

Uyo Teaching Hospital. ``She was isolated and she eventually died but her test result that she had Lassa fever only came out after she died. ``So, we have a situation here that should concern all of us. And we are also going to trace those that she had contact with in the hospitals and the mortuary workers. ``It is a big problem and I want to appeal to health work-

ers that we must get The commissioner then warned health workers to always protect themselves against infectious diseases.

Ukpong also warned indigenes and residents against eating any rat meat, irrespective of type and to ensure proper storage of food items, as well as dispose garbage far away from their houses in order not to attract rats into the houses.

...400 persons under observation in Rivers Dennis Naku, Port Harcourt

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t least 400 persons are being monitored in connection with the dreaded Lassa fever which has claimed no fewer than three lives in Rivers State.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Theophilus Odagme, disclosed this on Monday, while fielding questions from journalists at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMSH) in Port Harcourt.

Odagme stated that the 400 persons were “followed” after the death of the medical doctor that passed on at the BMSH after contracting the disease.

“We have over 400 persons that are being followed, following the death of the doctor. And, a lot of activities have been heightened to reach out to our people,” the Commissioner said.

According to him, the state had no cases of new contact, suspect or any confirmed case of Lassa fever.

He said that the three per-

sons, who were earlier quarantined, had been moved after they tested negative to Lassa fever.

Odagme declared: “With respect to the current update in Rivers State, presently there is no new contact, no new suspect or confirmed case, adding that the state government had embarked on intensive sensitisation on Lassa fever outbreak.

“You are aware, we had three deaths and following the three deaths, we stepped up a lot of activities from public enlightenment, training colleagues at all

levels,” he said.

Dr. Odagme further said that war on the elimination of rats had been declared, even as he urged Rivers’ residence to report suspected cases of the epidemic to relevant health authorities.

He added, “The message is; kill all rats; avoid any contact with anything coming from rats.”

He added that his ministry was working with the Ministry of Environment to tackle the disease.

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NMA, CLO protest doctors’ kidnap in Rivers Dennis Naku, Port Harcourt

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ivers State chapters of the Nigerian Medical Association, and the Civil Liberties Organisation have carried out a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt against the incessant kidnapping of medical doctors in the state.

The doctors said some of them had been in near hiding since kidnappers made them their targets in the last two years.

The protesters numbering over 300 took their protest to the Department of State Security, DSS, and terminated at

the State Police Command.

Carrying placards with different inscriptions, they demanded an end to kidnapping and the arrest of criminal elements perpetrating the act.

They lamented that 21 doctors had been kidnapped in the last three months, even as one of their colleagues died in the hands of his captors.

In his response, the State Commissioner of Police, Musa Kimo, expressed sympathy with the doctors over the death of one of their colleagues while being held by kidnappers, and pledged his men’s commitment to protecting them and other members

of society.

It can be recalled that kidnappers disguised as patients, while targeting a medical doctor in the D-line area of Port Harcourt, shooting him in the abdomen after he resisted being whisked away.

One of the protesting doctors, DIbitorukuemi Kurubo, who spoke to journalists, urged security operatives to do more to protect lives in the state, just as he threatened that doctors would no longer take the kidnap of their colleagues lightly.

Kurubo, who is a former chairman of NMA said: “When people are sick or when

we want to take deliveries of babies we don’t call security agencies to do it for us. For instance, Lassa Fever issue is on.

“We are confronting it (Lassa Fever). Two doctors have died in the process; that is our job. We are trained to do it and we must treat patients no matter how deadly the diseases are because that is our job.

“Security agencies in the state must rise up and do their job. The peaceful protest today is to send a clear warning that if there is further kidnap of doctors in the state, NMA will take a far reaching decision,” he said.

L-R: Director, Cuso International, Western and Central Africa, Mr. Danny Pelletier; Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Perry John; Head of Cooperation, Canadian High Commission, Linda Ehrichs; Proprietor, School of Tropical Fish Breeding and Processing, Mr. Ene-Eyo Boko, and a beneficiary of Youlead Project, Comfort Bassey, during the Canadian High Commissioner’s visit to Youlead Projects in Calabar, yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

L-R: CEO Eddie Wine Bar, Edwin Okolie; Marketing Head, Artee Group, John Goldsmith; Deputy Managing Director Artee Group, Prakash Keswani; Efosa Ogbaide, and Business Head, Artee Group, Atanu Mukherjee, at the launch of Babyshop, Splash and Lifestyle Stores in Port Harcourt Mall, Port Harcourt, recently.

Don’t scrap maritme varsity, Ijaw youths warn govt

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ouths in Ijaw under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council have condemned the plan by the federal government to scrap the Maritime University in Delta State.

The university is located in Okerenkoko.

According to a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari and signed by its president, Udengs Eradiri, and its spokesperson, Eric Omare, the group said the importance of the institution could not be quantified.

According to the group, retaining the school would help reduce the effect of the marginalization being suffered by the people of Niger Delta.

In addition, the group said the institution would help increase the development of manpower in the maritime sector.

This, it said, would also assist in the diversification of the economy.

While stressing that scrapping the school would be a minus for the federal government, it could be another reason for militancy to rear its ugly head in the area again.

The letter reads in part: “The university would no doubt open up the area where it is sited which is in the hinterland of the Niger Delta and help in positively impacting on the life of the people of the area concerned, especially the youths.

“We cannot be talking of addressing problems of militancy and other associated challenges in the Niger Delta region without giving the people education.

The Maritime University, Okerenkoko, is part of the post-amnesty development plan of the Niger Delta region.”

The group state further: “The institutes in Oron and Zaria are meant to train medium class manpower in the maritime sector while the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, would train world class technical and managerial manpower.

“This would obviously address the problems of capital flight in Nigeria where Nigerians are sent to universities in countries like Philippines, Romania, Egypt and other countries to train at great cost to the country. The existing institutes and university are expected to play complimentary roles in the development of the maritime sector…

“It would interest your Excellency to note that Okerenkoko Community, Gbaramatu Clan, Delta State, is surrounded by several oil installations and platforms such as Egwa 1 Flow station owned by NPDC, Abiteye owned by Chevron, Makarava, Odidi 1 & 11 owned by NPDC, the Chevron Escravos Terminal and several other oil installations.”

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

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Lagos and the ‘Lagoon’ challenge RAHEEM OLUWAFUNMINIYI Continued from last Wednesday

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zikiwe had quite a reasonable number of followership among his kinsmen in Lagos and also a large followership among the natives.

This would continue well into the First Republic, albeit with setbacks but unfortunately, things would take a dramatic turn. By the time the Civil War started, the Igbo mostly left for the East and would return after the war ended. This would dim any hope of rekindling the fragments of political power the Igbo held in Lagos at independence.

Following their return, the Igbo, wounded, deprived and feeling battered, abandoned all forms of political alignments and pursued economic power instead. In actual fact, politics in Lagos for the Igbo was consigned to holding political posts in towns and market unions or associations. Lagos politics from this period was left for the Yoruba elements in the state not until the return of democracy in Nigeria. By this time, the Igbo population in Lagos had soared and was made up of about 30 percent of the state’s population. The influence of the Igbo in Lagos economically was widening such that the Lagos State governor at

the time, appreciating this number and influence, picked an Igbo commissioner in his cabinet, who it was said became one of the most powerful men in that government.

This would no doubt boost the morale of the Igbo and in no time, they began to raise the ante. This could be seen in the last legislative election in the state, where non-indigenes won legislative seats in about three districts.

Watchers felt this was an anomaly for obvious reasons. Could such seats have been won by non-indigenes or the Igbo in states like Delta, Rivers or even Anambra, they asked? While watchers grumbled behind, the Oba of Lagos threw caution to the wind, making the infamous Lagoon statement that almost led to an ethnic crisis in the state.

In actual fact, there is the argument that if the APC had not won the Lagos gubernatorial election, the state would have fallen apart.

What happened during the last gubernatorial election in Lagos State should be a lesson for us all. However, it only brings to the fore the contentious issue of indigenes and settlers in the state.

While we have closed our eyes to it, it is an issue we have to address and confront head on. To call Lagos “no man’s land” is not only highly offensive and an insult, but also calamitous to good

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE LAST GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION IN

LAGOS

STATE SHOULD BE A LESSON FOR US ALL neighbourliness and as such must be checkmated. Yet, the disturbing trend where a considerable number of settlers in some states exist, what should be done to address such before it becomes a monster, especially during election periods?

Lagos have witnessed over the years a large number of non-indigenes, who have not only settled among natives but also become prominent, using their influence to develop areas like Oshodi, Ojo, Ajeromi Ifelodun etc. Under this scenario, one cannot, therefore, keep excluding them from power. There are implications if those who are for or against this idea do not meet half way to find a common ground. Like Professor Abolade Adeniji argued some time ago, Rwanda was raped by the Hutu and Tutsi in just four weeks because of the inability of these two groups to “find a common ground on their existence”.

If the settler/native question in Lagos is overlooked or waved aside until

elections come up again in 2019, we may have a whole lot on our hands to contend with. Natives must begin to sound a note to settlers or non-indigenes that Lagos is somebody’s land while settlers must be made to understand how to live within the limits set by the owners of Lagos. While this is done, natives should begin to embrace and accommodate its settlers in the area of political positions despite the fact that this does not reflect elsewhere. By setting an example, others are likely to follow sooner or later. The cosmopolitan nature of Lagos readily defies its nativism and as such, natives should warm themselves to others with the understanding that these ‘others’ would show mutual respect and carry on as good neighbours. When these recommendations are taken holistically, the acrimony that came along with the Oba’s statement in the last election would readily not occur, and nobody would show apprehension over non-Yoruba groups trying to lord itself over the owners of the land. The year 2019 is around the corner, and in the light of the recent declaration

by Ohaneze Youth Council that Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode is the “number one enemy” of Ndigbo, Lagos must get its settler/native issue right once and for all.

Oluwafunminiyi wrote from Abuja via creativitysells@gmail.com

MTN’s unacceptable business tendencies MARK D EBO TAIWO

I

found it extremely unbelievable to imagine that a big corporate body like MTN would engage in antics that are antipodal to its corporate existence. It has become a routine for this telecom service provider to play pranks on its customers with intent to rip them off their hard earned money through the introduction of dubious calls, messages, and unsolicited programmes from its network.

The MTN network has been turned into a medium in which proverbs, jobs, jokes of various shades, quotes, prayer, ringing tones, tips on various subjects and other unsolicited services, are being advertised daily to ‘catch’ their unsuspecting subscribers. On many occasions my attention had been drawn to my handset with calls and disturbing messages from MTN advertising one thing or the other, thinking I have important calls from my business associates, friends from my church or social circle, and relations.

I had a bitter experience on 1st of January, 2016 the day people all over the world are celebrating the arrival of a new year with funfairs and punks; people are exchanging greetings and gifts ones across the globe.

But instead of me to receive a new gift or bonanza from MTN, what I experienced that day spoilt the rest of the day for me.

This New Year sordid experience from MTN really put me off balance. I had received some transfer into my ac-

count, which I intended to use to send New Year goodwill messages; suddenly I received a strange and distractive call from MTN number 450135. When I picked it the automated machine was relaying a recorded message, which was of no interest to me, so I cut it off.

But to my chagrin and alter astonishment, MTN instantly deducted N50.00 from my account for picking the unsolicited call.

I was enraged with emotion and immediately put a call across to their customers’ service. But as trained liars that they are, one female voice answered my call and deceived me that she would check my account, which she never did. When I called later one Emmanuel informed me that my account would be looked into and if necessary refund would be credited to my account within 24hours after confirmation that my money was erroneously deducted.

When I called back after the expiration of the 24hours period given to me, I got the shock of my life. He informed me that their system had been configured to deduct money from unsuspecting subscribers, who try to pick the call, adding that that account for the deduction from my account.

I then queried him if I requested anything from MTN and why was it that my account that would be debited for a call I never initiated. He did not have a logical explanation to give other than to say sorry about that. When I pressed further that deducting from my account was illegal, dubious and it amounted to stealing by trick, he

THE MTN NETWORK HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A MEDIUM IN WHICH PROVERBS, JOBS…

QUOTES, PRAYER… ARE BEING ADVERTISED DAILY TO ‘CATCH’

THEIR UNSUSPECTING SUBSCRIBERS stopped the communication.

Now, the issue is MTN has being committing this type of fraud on their subscribers unabated without prosecution from their customers or from the Consumers Protection Agency or any serious penalty from the NCC. This might could be the reason why MTN is indulging itself in this kind of unwholesome and unethical practices.

The point is, can MTN play such pranks on the people of South Africa, or other well run countries and go scot free? I imagine out of about 150 millions active subscribers, just two millions of entrapped subscribers each day could translate into about N100 million illegitimate and unjustifiable income for them. It will add up to about N3 billion per mouth and an average of N36 billion annually.

A major source of concern is that not only MTN is guilty of these scams; almost all other network providers are involved in these unholy practices. It is high time the National Communication Commission, Consumers Protec-

tion Agency and the rest sat up to to challenge this unwholesome practice.

Kudos be given to the NCC for making the network providers become more responsible and responsive. The service providers must be made to stop the double whammy of deteriorating service and illegal deductions.

When the NCC came with the big stick against MTN for its outrageous practices seen as inimical to Nigeria’s security and corporate existence, it attracted little or no sympathy from the masses. Invariably, many are so happy that at last Nigeria can stand up and be alive to her responsibilities about the issues of regulations. It is much unexpected that a corporate body like the MTN could be complacent with the rules that guide their business operations in Nigeria. This infraction was at the root of MTN’s N1.4 trillion fine, now an issue before the court of law.

I have been a victim of this unceasing exploitation by MTN without refund, even when I reported to their customers’ service lines. All their receptionists have been trained to do is to tell soothing lies with their dubious responses of “sorry about that”, which has never translated into restitution.

Pastor Mark Debo Taiwo.

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 clearly marked as such.

Editorial

18

Tuesday, January 26, 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

NUT on impunity in private schools

T

he Nigeria Union of Teachers’ (NUT), through its National President, Comrade Michael Olukoya, in Abuja last week, decried what it called ‘modern day slavery’ in private schools. One of the most critical national challenges confronting the managers of the country’s education system is arresting the rot in private schools if the cardinal essence of establishing them is to complement government’s effort in providing quality education. So far, unfortunately, what have been glaringly on display are the obscene gluttony and impunity of private school proprietors, from primary to tertiary level, as buttressed by their outrageous school fees and the exploitation of their teachers, students, parents and guardians alike. It is not as if all private schools in the country comply with recommended standards. While a handful of private universities, for example, are said to be sound in delivering quality, the majority of them have been dismissed by informed critics as ‘glorified secondary schools’.

A lot of private tertiary schools are locked in perennial disputes with the National Universities Commission (NUC) over the nonaccreditation of several of their courses.

Odukoya said private schools, whether owned by Nigerians or foreigners, utterly disrespect the country’s labour laws and treat

Nigerian graduates like rags.

He indicted the country’s past leaders and religious elite as some of the major beneficiaries of the schools. But the rot is not just confined to the shabby treatment meted out to private school teachers alone. The fees charged by private schools in the country are so outrageous that no average Nigerian family can dream patronizing them. The primary or secondary school fees charged by private schools, for instance, compete with similar bills charged by most Nigerian government-owned universities, especially at the federal level.

Prof. Julius OKojie, the Executive Secretary of the NUC, in August last year, at the presentation of full licenses to nine private universities, said he was alarmed by the high tuition fees charged by private universities; but rationalized his concern away with what he termed ‘a market demand situation’. “Some private universities charge up to N1 million, but it is a market of demand and supply situation… It depends on where you want your child to go to. If a private university does not have a good programme and charges high fees, nobody will come; it is a market demand situation. We also advise them not to charge astronomical fees, but some grant waivers to indigent students and offer scholarships”, Okojie said.

January 26, 1991 Mohamed Siad Barre was removed from power in Somalia, ending the country’s centralized government; and Ali Mahdi took charge. Siad Barre (1919 – 1995) was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969-1991. At the time of independence in 1960, Somalia was touted in the West as the model of a democracy in Africa. However, clanism and extended family loyalties and conflicts reared up their heads.

IF PRIVATE SCHOOLS

ARE LEFT UNCHECKED, THEY WILL IN NO TIME RIDICULE THE

COUNTRY’S EDUCATION SECTOR WITH THEIR GREED This sounds like a confirmation of government’s acquiescence to the misnomer and its helplessness in halting the trend. Yet it is a grave parody in a nation where the majority of citizens are poverty stricken; and the quality of education consigned to the back seat. The country’s future is very grim already when education managers at the federal level lend tacit support to market forces in education provisioning at the expense of fostering quality and affordable educational opportunities for all. At the state level, some state governments turn blind eyes to the extortionist bills of private schools for as long as they pay huge taxes to government’s coffers. These are aberrations that make a mockery of relevant sections of the country’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government. It also goes without saying that the granting

ON THIS DAY January 26, 2001 An earthquake struck Gujarat, India, causing more than 20,000 deaths, injuring 167,000 people and destroying nearly 400,000 homes. The earthquake occurred on India’s 52nd Republic Day, at 08:46 AM local time and lasted for over two minutes.

The epicentre was about 9 km southwest of the village of Chobari in Bhachau Taluka of Kutch District of Gujarat, India. The earthquake reached 7.7 on the moment magnitude scale.

of waivers and scholarships to hand-picked students represents mere tokenism from which only very few benefit.

We do not believe this divideand-train style of educating Nigerian children will, any time soon, yield the desired quality and quantity of human capital which the country urgently needs for its socio-economic breakthrough. The challenge before the FG and states, therefore, is to put a stop to impunities in whatever name called, trailing private schools and make them comply with government dreams. The government at the centre and states should come up with objective assessments of what it takes to train a child at any level of education; as well as the infrastructural and other requirements in public schools; and apply them as benchmarks to fix a cap on fees’ limit permissible at any level of public and private school. Government can, thereafter, intervene from time to time with one form of assistance or the other to ensure private schools run at reasonable profit and comply with officially prescribed fees. If private schools are left unchecked, they will in no time ridicule the country’s education sector with their greed, perhaps in a manner worse than what independent oil marketers have done to the downstream oil sector.

January 26, 2009 Rioting broke out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that resulted in the replacement of President Marc Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina. The political crisis began on January 26, 2009 with the political opposition movement led by Antananarivo mayor, Andry Rajoelina, which sought to oust President Marc Ravalomanana from the presidency. The crisis reached its climax on March 21, 2009.

Business

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

FAO rallies stakeholders for GGW implementation 24

World richest 1% controls half of global wealth –Oxfam

22

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SEC to compensate 580 investors this 21 week

Involving OPS in BoI’s N2bn GEF disbursement to boost entrepreneurship Recently, Bank of Industry, (BoI), launched N2 billion Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) Scheme to build entrepreneurial capacity among serving National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, members as well as providing funding to those that intend to establish businesses and stand on their own after the compulsory national service.

To ensure the success of the Scheme, particularly its job creation target, experts have canvassed involvement of the Organised Private Sector, OPS, in its design, disbursement, monitoring and evaluation on a sustainable basis. Olufemi Adeosun analyses the issues involved in this report:

A

part from its firm commitment to the fight against official graft which has crippled infrastructure development and stagnated the nation’s real sector growth, the present administration rail-road itself to power on the promise of bridging the burgeoning unemployment gaps in the country.

However, experts have said that, more than seven months into the life of the administration, nothing much has been done in terms of provision of policy direction geared towards addressing the unemployment situation in the country. According to them, rather than abating, a good number of Nigerians are daily losing their jobs, especially in the construction sector, due to the slide in the revenue generation of government which has made it temporarily stop funding infrastructural projects For instance, while the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that about 1.8 million young Nige-

rians enter the already saturated labour market each year, with over 50 per cent of youths said to be unemployed, the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER) in its 2013 report, disclosed that graduates of tertiary institutions constituted the bulk of the unemployment situation in the country, with a 20 per cent youth unemployment.

Investigations also revealed that out of the over 250,000 graduates of Nigerian tertiary educational institutions that enroll in the NYSC Scheme each year, more than 41 per cent of Nigerian graduates are without employment after the mandatory NYSC programme.

The Managing Director, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa, however stated that the N2 billion GEF scheme the development financing institution launched towards the end of last year in conjunction with the NYSC directorate, was not only aimed at addressing

“In addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria, there must be a radical and holistic approach, instead of engaging in uncoordinated pocket of interventions. The Private sector and private

sector institutions must be engaged and carried

19

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the entrepreneurship capacity and funding gaps of the nation’s serving Corps members, but also at complementing the efforts of government in the areas of employment generation and poverty alleviation.

Unlike other conventional loan deal, Olaoluwa explained that GEF was structured in such a way that it did not require provision of collateral from any would be beneficiary.

According to him, 1,000 corps members with bankable projects have been selected across the nation’s six geo-political zones out of the 3,100 candidates that submitted entries through the bank’s portal. Already, those selected have gone through intensive training on the art of running a profitable business.

While unveiling the loan component, the BoI boss disclosed that each beneficiary of GEF would access a minimum loan of N500, 000 and a maximum of N2.0 million for the procurement of machinery and equipment as well as for working capital, at a single digit interest rate of nine per cent with a loan tenor of 3 to 5 years inclusive of six (6) months moratorium.

Stressing the significance of the scheme, he said, “An innovative approach is required to tackle this social malaise of graduate unemployment that has engulfed the country. The strategy is to identify the innate talents of these young graduates as soon as they leave school, build their capacities for self-reliance; and also empower them to establish their own businesses, thereby creating jobs not just for themselves, but also for other youths that they may employ.

“An example of this strategy is in the entertainment industry where musical talent hunt shows such as Project Fame, Nigeria Idols, X-Factor, etc. are organised from time to time in order to identify the next generation of musical talents locally and internationally. Project Fame for instance not only features the best of upcoming musical talents in West Africa, but also produces the next batch of music superstars.

“The equivalent of the talent hunt in the business world, which is meant to address the entrepreneurial capacity and funding gaps of the serving members of the NYSC, is the Graduate Entrepreneurship Fund (GEF) CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

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Business News

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Involving OPS in BoI’s N2bn GEF disbursement to boost entrepreneurship

Aganga CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19 which we’re launching today jointly with NYSC. “ Reacting, the President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Mr. Tony Ejinkeonye, stated that the scheme was pivotal to the empowerment programme of the present administration, stressing however that, such programme would only make the desired impact with the involvement of the organised private sector.

He added, “It is a good step in the right direction in the nation’s attempt to address the acute youth unemployment. However, there is so much room for improvement especially in the light of our present realities. In addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria, there must be a radical and holistic approach, instead of engaging in uncoordinated pocket of interventions.

“The Private sector and private sector institutions must be engaged and carried along every step of the way. Government must be open to collaborative efforts and engagement of this critical sector if it is serious about tackling youth unemployment.

“For instance, BOI can look into sustainable partnerships and collaboration with Organised Private Sector organizations like the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and indeed other chambers of commerce all over the federation to expand on and build upon youth employment and empowerment schemes.

“ACCI has developed numerous intervention programmes on training, capacity building, empowerment and development which will invariably tackle youth unemployment in Nigeria as the key to solving unemployment in Nigeria is creating private sector jobs.”

Explaining the unemployment situation in Nigeria, Ejinkeonye, who relied on data from the NBS also stated that “the economically active population or working age population (persons within ages 15‐ 64) increased from 102.8 million in Q1 2015 to 103.5million in Q2 2015 and 104.3milion in Q3 2015. In Q3 2015, the labour force population increased to 75.9 million from 74.0million in Q2 2015, representing in an

Olawumi increase in the labour force by 2.60%.

“This means 1,929,800 economically active persons within 15‐64 entered the labour force. Within the same period, the number of unemployed in the labour force, increased by 1,454,620 (529,923 in Q2) persons between Q2 2015 and Q3 2015 resulting in an increase in the unemployment rate to 9.9% in Q3 2015 from 8.2% in Q2 2015 from 7.5% in Q1 2015. This represents a fourth consecutive rise in the unemployment rate since Q3 2014.

“According to NBS Q3 job creation report, about 427,000 new net jobs were created in Q3 2015. However, this was inadequate to match the over 1.9mn new entrants into the labour market in Q3 2015.

However, this was inadequate to match the over 1.9mn new entrants into the labour market in Q3 2015.

Accordingly there were a total of 20.7 million persons between the ages of 15‐64 that were willing and able to work and actively seeking work (i.e in the labour force) that were either unemployed or underemployed compared to 19.6 million in Q2 2015, compared to 17.7 million in Q1 2015. This is the grim outlook of youth unemployment in Nigeria.”

The Executive Secretary, National Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, NASME, Mr. Eke Ubiji in his own reaction, noted that as desirous as the scheme may seem, it would not make the desired impact if other agencies of government, like the Bank of Agriculture, refuse to take initiatives in the areas of empowerment and employment generation.

Olaoluwa Ubiji, who stated that the scheme would have multiplier effects on the economy,also called on all other stakeholders, including the commercial banks, to team up with government in its bid to ensure that all employable youths are gainfully employed.

He added, “The efforts of BoI are highly commendable; no commercial bank will be willing to give out even N200, 000 without collateral. When the history of Nigeria’s industrialisation is written, the stake of the development finance institution will be very high. All other stakeholders, including the commercial banks, should also come up with implementable employment generation programmes to get our youths out of the streets.

However, National President, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association, Pastor Segun Adewumi, did not see the GEF scheme as capable of making any meaningful impact on the employment generation agenda of government. According to him, since there is no way the bank can restrict the loan to the two critical sectors which are: agriculture and industry, it may not go far in addressing youth unemployment.

He said if government or any of its agency is desirous of creating employment, it should encourage investment in agriculture and agro-business activities, adding that rather than dolling out money to the youth, government could reach out to the States with a view to getting large portion of lands which would in turn be demarcated to be allocated to people to farm to provide raw agricultural produce

The efforts of BoI are highly commendable; no commercial bank will be willing to give out even

N200, 000 without collateral. When the history of Nigeria’s industrialisation is written, the stake of the development finance institution will be very high. All other stakeholders, including the commercial banks, should also come up with implementable employment generation programmes

for the industry.

Meanwhile some of the loan beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent during the capacity building training for the scheme expressed their gratitude to the management of the bank for the business support programme, even as they explained their business interest.

For instance, an Animal Production graduate of Federal University of Agriculture, serving in Kaduna, Mr. Mnguachia Joseph, said he would be investing his money in pig production.

He said he was venturing into the business area because he had noticed that the country import most of its meats need.

Joseph said, “I am From Benue state, a corp member, serving in Kaduna State. I normally go online as frequent as possible.

I heard from my colleagues that there is such programme online and on the last day, I registered. And surprisingly, I received a mail that I have been selected for the programme and I should come over to Katsina.

“I am graduate of animal production with huge experience in veterinary clinic.

My desire is to go for pig production and also diversify into Aqua-culture production because I have verse knowledge on fish production. I also want to research fully into artificial insemination to see how I can produce livestock that are capable of feeding the nation. There is a shortage of meat production in Nigeria.”

On what gave him the confidence to apply without knowing anyone in BOI, he said he had full confidence in the system.”I have full confidence in the system. Since the present administration came on board, there has been a sense of sanity in the conduct of government business. I never had any doubt.

Miss Adebisi Sanyo, a physiotherapist from Unilag, said the scheme would enable her realize her childhood vision of establishing a wellness centre. She noted, “I am excited about the opportunity and I believe the training I will get will make me a better entrepreneur. I am a medical personnel, I want to open a wellness centre. This training and the financial empower will serve as a boost to kick-start.”

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Business News

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

21

SEC to compensate 580 investors this week Johnson Okanlawon

T

here are strong indications that the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC, will compensate about 580 affected investors for fraudulent conversion of their funds by one of the recently sanctioned stock broking companies, Mega Asset Managers Limited.

The commission had on November 26, 2015 inaugurated the National Investor Protection Fund, NIPF, to provide relief to various investors that suffered losses due to the insolvency, bankruptcy or negligence of capital market operators.

A reliable source in the Commission told National Mirror yesterday that the investors would be paid this week, as appropriate compensations had been approved by the Verification Committee for the affected investors.

“I can authoritatively confirm to you that in the next one week, the beneficiaries of NIPF will be paid,” the source said.

According to him, the fund managers are the major problem for the commission among the capital market operators, adding that infraction among stockbrokers have reduced to a barest minimum.

He said: “Fund managers are greatest problem even the private operators. People innocently put their money in their care without knowing how it’s being spent. The major infraction is from the fund

managers.”

The NIPF, according to a set of rules approved by the SEC’s board, will apply only to defalcations by insolvent or bankrupt capital market operators that are not dealing members of any Securities Exchange or Capital Trade Points.

Accordingly, the NIPF will be for the purpose of compensating investors whose losses are not covered under the NIPF administered by SEC and Capital Trade Points.

A notice at the SEC’s website reads: “Following the inauguration of the National Investor Protection Fund (NIPF) on 26th November, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission wishes to inform the general public of the official takeoff of the Fund.

“The Verification Committee of the NIPF has concluded a rigorous verification of investors’ claims against Mega Asset Managers Limited and subsequently recommended approval of appropriate compensation to the affected investors.

“Consequently, the Board of the NIPF at its sitting of 14th December, 2015 approved payment of compensation to the complainants/investors of Mega Asset Managers Limited who appeared before the Commission’s Administrative Proceedings Committee (APC) in the matter.”

It would be recalled that following the launch of the NIPF, the Commission said it had set aside

Scottish firms eye Nigeria’s oil, gas industry for investments Isaac Asabor

T

he British High Commission said on Wednesday that a Scottish oil and gas delegation will visit Nigeria from next Monday to explore investment opportunities in the country.

A statement by Mr. Wale Adebajo, Communication Manager, Press and Public Affairs Unit, British Deputy High Commission, Lagos, indicated that the visit was meant to gain a good understanding of local market conditions and to also look for potential local companies interested in partnering with a Scotland-based company.

It clarified that the group, comprising 13 Scottish companies, will also participate in the Offshore West Africa Conference and Exhibition on Tuesday in Lagos.

“The visit will also promote the strengths of the country’s very large oil and gas supply chain via a Scotland pavilion. Gary Soper, Regional Manager of Africa for Scottish Development Interna-

tional will lead the delegation.

“Our presence is aimed at promoting the strength of the Scottish industry and developing ties with Nigerian businesses.

Sub-sectors represented include education and training, subsea engineering, winches, electrical product distribution, well construction and engineering services, and remote communications systems,’’ the statement added.

It also hinted that Soper, who described Scotland as a true Global Hub for oil and gas, adding that the oil and gas cluster made a huge contribution to the Scottish economy, was delighted to be bringing such a large trade delegation from Scotland and participating in the 20th edition of the Offshore West Africa conference.

It noted that Scotland had grown many creative and innovative companies already operating in over 100 countries worldwide, adding that “whilst

N5 billion for compensation of investors who suffer pecuniary losses in the course of their transactions in the capital market.

In his address at the post-Capital Market Committee, CMC, in Lagos recently, SEC’s Director General, Mr.

Mounir Gwarzo, hinted that the first set of beneficiaries would be compensated.

He explained that compensation hadbeen pegged at N200,000 per complainant, adding that the NIPF covers the entire capital

market and is broader in scope than a similar fund being promoted by the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE, which seeks to provide respite to investors who suffer losses as a result of defalcation by dealing member firms of the Exchange.

L-R: Group Managing Director, Creativexone, Mr. Doyin Adewumi; Marketing Director, Gionee Nigeria, Mr. Somoye Habeeb and Accounts Manager, Creativexone, Mr. Woghiren Christopher, at the media launch of M5 Mini Smartphone

by Gionee Mobile Phone, in Lagos recently.

Vitafoam, Vonofoam merge for improved shareholders’ value Johnson Okanlawon

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itafoam Nigeria Group Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi has expressed optimism that the merger of Vono Products Nigeria Plc with Vitafoam Nogeria Plc would translate into higher earnings and enhanced shareholder value.

But Adeniyi who reviewed the current operating environment appealed to the federal government to create enabling environment for manufacturers in view of the effects of high exchange rate of the Naira on importation of raw materials.

Addressing the journalists on the merger, Adeniyi explained that the shareholders of both companies overwhelmingly endorsed the merger at the recent Extra Ordinary General Meeting.

According to him, the shareholders appreciated the potential benefits of the merger such as economies of scale, cost savings and improved operational and administrative efficiencies among others. Adeniyi noted that the enlarged company would enhance growth in size.

“I can assure you that we at Vitafoam have always been thinking ahead. The issue of merger started about five years ago. Vitafoam is not just about mattresses only. We have many products for human

comfort. As you all know, Vono is also a brand.

“If we produce foam and Vono produces furniture, they are complementary. It is a strategic decision for Vitafoam to have Vono as a subsidiary. As you are aware, we have other subsidiaries such as Vitabloom, Vitagreen and Vitapur.

Each of them produces distinct products. But they have something in common and this defines the unity of purpose.

“We are truly a national company. We have a full fledged factory in Ikeja, Kano, Aba and Jos. We also have factories off shore. We operate at Sierra Leone and Ghana strategically to position the Centre for inflow of Dollar in the long term because these are dollar based

business environment. They may not be generating expected profit for now but they have high prospect.

The key issue is that Vitafoam as a group has a very bright future and the shareholder value would be greatly enhanced. As a mark of competence, Vitafoam is ISO certified”, he said.

Corroborating him, Vitafoam’s Group Executive Director, Corporate Services, Mr Olatunji Anjorin, described the merger as a vertical one as the furniture produced by Vono Products would complement Vitafoam’s foams.

Anjorin explained that the consummated merger would put an end to past encumbrances militating against Vono’s growth, bring about more efficient expertise, shared value and improved technology.

EU loses appeal in WTO anti-dumping dispute with China

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he World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Appellate Body on January 18, 2016, released a compliance report on an anti-dumping dispute between the European Union and China over certain iron and steel fasteners from China.

The Appellate Body report upheld most of the decisions of a previous WTO report. That report found that the EU failed to take sufficient corrective action after

its anti-dumping duties on certain iron or steel fasteners from China were found to be in violation of WTO rules.

China filed a complaint with the WTO over the duties in 2009.

On December 3, 2010, a WTO panel published a report saying that the duties were inconsistent with various articles of the Anti-Dumping Agreement, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, and the WTO Agreement.

22

Business News

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

World richest 1% controls half of global wealth –Oxfam ...Economists fault methodology of calculations Tola Akinmutimi

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xfam, a globally renowned aid and development Non Governmental Organisation, (NGO), has reported that the richest one per cent of the global population now has as much wealth as the rest of the world combined.

The organization, which based its findings on data from Credit Suisse, in its latest report covering October 2015, also calculated that the richest 62 people in the world had as much wealth as the poorest half of the global population In view of the worrisome trend, Oxfam has therefore charged leaders that met in Davos last weekend to take action on inequality.

The organization criticised the work of lobbyists and the amount of money kept in tax havens while also predicting that the one per cent of the richest globally would overtake the rest of the world this time last year.

It clarified: “It takes cash and assets worth $68,800 (£48,300) to get into the top 10 per cent, and $760,000 (£533,000) to be in the 1 per cent. That means that if you own an average house in London without a mortgage, you are probably in the 1 per cent.

“The figures carry various caveats, for example, information about the wealth of the super-rich is hard to come by, which Credit Suisse says means its estimates of the proportion of wealth held by the 10 per and the 1 per cent is “likely to err on the low side”.

“As a global report, the figures also necessarily include some estimates of levels of wealth in countries from which accurate statistics are not available. Some free market think tanks questioned the credibility of the figures”, Oxfam added.

However, the Director General of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Mark Littlewood, has described the statistics as “bogus”.

According to him, the methodology of adding up assets and

subtracting debts and then making a global ‘net wealth’ distribution implies that many of the poorest in the world are those in advanced countries with high debts.

“Whilst we might have sympathy for the Harvard law graduate’s plight, it is unclear that worrying about her should be the focus of a development organisation,” he said.

The Adam Smith Institute’s Head of Research, Ben Southwood, also aligned his views with those expressed by Littlewood, saying that the data is “misleading”.

He explained: “More meaningful measures show greater equality. Those in the middle and bottom of the world income distribution have all got pay rises of around 40 per cent between 1988-2008. Global inequality of life expectancy and height are narrowing too— showing better nutrition and better healthcare where it matters most.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Global firms commit US$1bn to tech start-up investment

… Asia premium growth to surpass global average in 2016 - Swiss Re

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he world’s biggest insurance companies, including China’s Ping An, have reportedly committed to invest up to US$1 billion in technology start-ups that are relevant to the business.

According to a report, some of the world’s biggest insurers — Axa, Aviva, Allianz, MassMutual, American Family, and Ping An — are investing in technology startups to catch up with other sectors of the financial services industry.

Quoting analysts, the report said that the global insurance industry is starting to get interested in digital investment in a bid to stay competitive and boost profitability.

Aviva joins other investors in putting £1 million into an app that helps find empty parking spaces while Axa now has €230 million to put to work globally.

Ben Luckett, managing director of Aviva Ventures, told the FT that the insurer is looking at technology that will be relevant in three to five years.

Meanwhile, Swiss Re has projected that despite tougher regulations and slowing economic growth, Asia will accelerate this year in terms of premium income and outperform the world average.

The reinsurer sees life premiums in Asia accelerating by 7.2 per cent this year, with China, the Philippines and Indonesia poised to register double-digit growth in both life and nonlife insurance premiums.

Rising incomes in Asia will lift demand for life insurance while infrastructure development and urbanisation will propel the growth of nonlife premiums, Swiss Re said.

However, the company noted that while most markets in Asia will post strong growth this year, Hong Kong’s insurance sector will face mounting distress.

Life insurance premiums in Hong Kong may decline to 6.1 per cent growth from 11.4 per cent in 2014, according to Swiss Re..

(Source – ReinsuranceNe. ws.com)

UK investors rush to beat Stamp Duty hike

T L-R: Executive Director, Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM), Mr. Bashir Wali; former Member of the House of Representatives and Exporter, Mr. Muhammad Bashir-Galadanchi; President, Miners Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sani Shehu; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello; Director, Development Finance Department of Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Mudashiru Olaitan (6th right), and others, at the CBN/NEXIM Non-Oil Exports Stimulation Conference in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

Lagos membership of O’odua Group, key to regional integration –Ambode ABOLAJI ADEBAYO

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he Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has described the inclusion of the State as a member of the Odu’a Investment Group as a major landmark in the effort of the South-Western States of Nigeria towards regional integration.

In a statement issued yesterday by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, Ambode said that the drive towards regional integration South West

of Nigeria could not be effectively pursued if all the States within the region could not combine their resources, work together and maximize their comparative advantages in order to build a strong regional infrastructural and social links among the states.

Ambode, who said that the priority of his administration had been on how the state would be admitted into the Odu’a Group, observed that with its huge population, its vibrant economic base and its being the centre of economic and

business activities in Nigeria, declared that Lagos served as a uniquely placed to contribute to the development and growth of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited, OIC, the investment arm of the group, as well as the integration of South West Nigeria in general.

While expressing his gratitude to the group for the decision, the governor promised that his government would work with other states in the group towards achieving the deserved development of South West of Nigeria and its people.

he Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the UK housing market has seen a rise in demand following the Government’s announcement that it will introduce higher stamp duties for buy-to-let investors.

Under proposals announced at the Autumn Statement, the higher rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) will apply from April 2016 to purchases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland of buy-to-lets and second homes that cost more than GBP40,000 (USD56,706). The rates will be three percentage points above the current SDLT rates, and will be charged on the portion of the value of the property that falls into each SDLT band.

The first GBP125,000 of the property price is exempt from stamp duty. A rate of two percent is payable on the portion up to GBP250,000, five percent on the portion up to GBP925,000, ten percent up to GBP1.5m, and 12 percent on the value above GBP1.5m.

The RICS said that the demand for new UK properties has reached a three-month high, with buyers rushing to beat the stamp duty hike. It added that since Chancellor George Osborne announced the measures in No-

vember 2015, 16 percent more chartered surveyors reported new buyer inquiries were rising.

RICS Chief Economist Simon Rubinsohn commented: “The housing market has experienced an unusually buoyant December.

Those in the industry have been speculating that this is the result of the Chancellor’s announcement last November. Potential buy-to-let investors are looking to pick up properties before the increased stamp duty levy comes into force next April. If that is the case then we can expect to see the housing market heating up further over the next few months.”

In December, a group representing 250 landlords announced that it would seek a Judicial Review of the Government’s planned reform of buy-to-let tax reliefs. From April 2017, the Government will gradually reduce relief for mortgage interest for individual landlords, to restrict it to the basic rate of income tax (20 percent). From April 2016, the wear-and-tear allowance, which allows landlords to reduce the tax they pay regardless of whether they replace the furnishings in their property, will be scrapped in favour of a new system that only provides relief when furnishings are replaced.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Jobs & Career

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

23

ILO forecasts higher global unemployment rate in 2016 ….says emerging economies’ slowdown ‘ll accentuate crisis Tola Akinmutimi

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he International Labour Organisation, ILO, has reported that continuing high rates of unemployment worldwide and chronic vulnerable employment in many emerging and developing economies were still deeply affecting the world of work across global economies.

According to the ILO’s just published World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2016 (WESO) while the final figure for unemployment in 2015 is estimated to stand at 197.1 million and in 2016 is forecast to rise by about 2.3 million to reach 199.4 million, an additional 1.1 million jobless will likely be added to the global tally in 2017 Reflecting on the report findings, the Organisation’s Director-General, Guy Ryder, noted that the significant slowdown in emerging economies coupled with a sharp decline in commodity prices was having a dramatic effect on the world of work.

He clarified: “Many working women and men are having to accept low paid jobs, both in emerging and developing economies and also, increasingly in developed countries.

And despite a drop in the number of unemployed in some EU countries and the US, too many people are still jobless.

“We need to take urgent action to boost the number of decent work opportunities or we risk intensified social tensions,” he added

Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige

Ryder

In 2015, total global unemployment stood at 197.1 million – 27 million higher than the pre-crisis level of 2007.

According to the global labour body, the unemployment rate for developed economies decreased from 7.1 per cent in 2014 to 6.7 per cent in 2015 while in most cases the improvements were not sufficient to eliminate the jobs gap that emerged as a result of the global financial crisis.

For instance, it noted that, the employment outlook had now weakened in emerging and developing economies, notably in Brazil, China and oil-producing countries.

In his remarks, Director of the ILO Re-

search Department, Raymond Torres, explained that “the unstable economic environment associated with volatile capital flows, still dysfunctional financial markets and the shortage of global demand continue to affect enterprises and deter investment and job creation.

“In addition, policy-makers need to focus more on strengthening employment policies and tackling excessive inequalities. There is much evidence that well-designed labour market and social policies are essential for boosting economic growth and addressing the jobs crisis and almost eight years after the start of the global crisis, a strengthening of that policy

approach is urgently needed”, Torres added.

The authors of the WESO also documented the fact that job quality remained a major challenge, pointing out that while there has been a decrease in poverty rates, the rate of decline in the number of working poor in developing economies has slowed and vulnerable employment still accounts for over 46 per cent of total employment globally.

They reported that vulnerable employment remained particularly high in emerging and developing economies, hitting between half and three-quarters of the employed population in those groups of countries, respectively, with peaks in Southern Asia (74 per cent) and sub-Saharan Africa (70 per cent).

Meanwhile, the report showed that informal employment – as a percentage of nonagricultural employment – exceeds 50 per cent in half of the developing and emerging countries with comparable data. In onethird of these countries, it affects over 65 per cent of workers.

Noting that the lack of decent jobs leads people to turn to informal employment, which is typically characterized by low productivity, low pay and no social protection, the ILO Research Director advised that this needed to change.

Ryders specifically recommended that responding urgently and vigorously to the scale of the global jobs challenge would be crucial to successful implementation of the United Nations’ newly adopted 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Osun Govt prunes Ministries to 12 Corporate tax hikes lower employee wages –Think Tank for cost-efficient services T Tola Akinmutimi

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etermined to improve service delivery to the people despite fiscal constraints, the Government of Osun State, has reduced ministries in the state from 17 to 12.

The State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, who announced the restructuring exercise in the public sector, hinted that one new ministry had been created as some others were merged.

Governor Aregbesola, in a letter of notification dated January 21 addressed to the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salaam, stated that while there would be 12 ministries, nine agencies and bureaus had been brought under his office for direct supervision.

The governor explained that the decision to restructure was arrived at after a thorough re-appraisal of the machinery of government, adding that the restructuring of the MDAs will also reduce the cost of governance as well as enhance service delivery.

He, therefore, urged the Speaker to communicate the development to members of the House.

The letter titled: “Notification of the Restructuring of Some Existing Minis-

tries and Creation of a New Ministry in the State of Osun” listed the affected 12 ministries as: Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Youths Engagement; Ministry of Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment; Ministry of Economic Planning, Budget and Development; Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; and Ministry of Environment, Sanitation and Physical Planning, Others are; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Health; Ministry of Information, Home Affairs, Tourism and Culture; Ministry of Justice; Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, Water Resources, and Community Affairs; Ministry of Women, Children, and Social Affairs; and Ministry of Works and Transport.

The letter also listed the nine agencies and bureaus that would be operating directly under the office of the governor as, Office of Regional Integration; Sports Council; Department of Social and Grassroots Mobilization and Guidance; Office of Policy Coordination; and Osun Job Centre.

Others are; Bureau of Lands; Pilgrims Welfare Board (Christian Wing); Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) and Office of Forestry, Natural and Mineral Resources.

he Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, has released a study that is said to debunk a long-held misperception in public policy debates about who ultimately bears the burden of business taxes.

The study points out that the tax incidence is determined by the group that ultimately bears the burden of the tax, which can be different from the entity responsible for collecting and remitting the revenue to government.

It says: “When it comes to corporate taxes, some simply – and wrongly – assume that corporations pay them in an economic

U

NICEF Nigeria Fresh Graduate and Exp. Job Recruitment (5 Posi-

tions) The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) - In September 2014 UNICEF began implementing a joint programme with UN Women on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) funded by the European Union (EU).

The programme will support the Nigerian Government (Federal level), three Northern Nige-

sense, leading to inaccurate claims about the desirability of raising such taxes. And, when it comes to payroll taxes, those levied on employers are assumed – again, incorrectly – to be paid by employers.”

The corporate income tax (CIT) is ultimately “paid” for by individuals, it says, either by: workers through lower wages; consumers, through higher prices; and/or corporate owners (shareholders), through lower profits and returns on investment.

“While the objective of groups pushing for a higher CIT may be to increase the tax burden on owners of capital, taxes shifted to consum-

Job vacancies rian States namely Adamawa, Gombe and Plateau and selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) to strengthen women’s leadership, advance gender equality and improve protection for women and children in conflict settings.

UNICEF is responsible for implementation of Component 2 of the programme, namely ‘to increase access to reporting mechanisms and protective services for girls and women affected by human rights abuses, including gender

ers or workers are clearly not paid by ‘corporations,’ even in the loosest meaning of the term,” it says.

“With respect to payroll taxes, an increase in the total cost of labour is not always and easily absorbed by employers, meaning increased payroll taxes can result in a reduction in compensation (either wages or fringe benefits, or a combination of both). Thus, studying the incidence of corporate income and payroll taxes is important for an informed public-policy debate.”

“In practice, empirical evidence suggests that the burden of both taxes is partly shifted to workers.”

(Source – tax-news.com)

based violence, in 3 states of northern Nigeria”.

We are recruiting to fill the following vacant positions: 1.) Education Specialist – Abuja, Deadline: 3rd February, 2016; 2.) Education Specialist – Ondo, Deadline: 3rd February, 2016; 3.)

Graduate Administrative Officer, Deadline: 3rd February, 2016; 4.)

National Consultant, Deadline: 4th February, 2016; 5.) International Consultant; Deadline: 4th February, 2016. (Source - hotnigerianjobs.com)

24

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

FAO rallies stakeholders for GGW implementation

The nation’s capital, Abuja, last week played host to other African countries participating in the Great Green Wall programme. Olufemi Adeosun, in this report presents a veritable platform for stakeholders to share experiences on the best methodologies for the effective implementation of the continental afforestation programme.

T

he dry lands of sub Saharan Africa have a lot of potential, particularly agricultural yields and livestock produc¬tion. The continent, which boasts of millions of agrarian communities, has however been plagued with awful effects of climate change which have accelerated the process of degradation.

However, it was in a bid to salvage the situation and bring millions of rural dwellers across the region back to live that the continent of Africa, led by former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, in 2005 conceived the idea of the GGW. According to its proponents, the continental afforestation programme is aimed at returning degrading lands in dry areas of the African re¬gion

Mutual Benefits, PZ Cussons partner on insurance penetration drive30

back to productivity.

Some of the African countries currently implementing the desertification control project include: Nigeria, Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Eretria Burkina Faso, and Niger Republic.

In Nigeria, the programme is being implemented in eleven frontline states of Kebbi, Kano, Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Zamfara, Sokoto, Gombe, Bauchi and Katsina.

Apart from addressing the issue of desertification in these states, other components of the programme, which has three years implementation time frame, include the establishment of a greenbelt covering 1,500km from Dandi Arewa Local Government Area of Kebbi State to Marte of Borno State.

Also, apart from the approval of N10bn

by President Goodluck Jonathan to herald the execution of the programme, it was also flagged off in Kebbi State in June 2013 with the planting of 2,871,415 seedlings for forest-

The people living in this region heavily depend on land, water and vegetation resources for their livelihoods which are fast deteriorating as a result of desertification. This progressive deterioration of resources over the year has undermined

Nigeria efforts in ensuring stable and sustainable future for the affected population in the eleven frontline states

ry and orchards. Nothing also demonstrates the willingness of the Federal Government to push this programme through than the establishment of two major committees to fast track its implementation.

These committees include National Council on Shelterbelt and Afforestation and the National Technical Committee. This is in addition to the recent upgrade of the special unit implementing the programme to a full-fledged agency, now known as National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW).

However, it was in a bid to bring together the participating countries on the same page in the implementation of the programme that the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) in conjunction with the European Union organised the technical workshop.

The workshop is aimed at strengthening the technical capacities of the GGW member countries towards effective implementation of the project. Already the FOA is committing 200 million euro, about N43, 4 billion to the programmes in all the participating countries.

In his opening remarks during the workshop, the Minister of State for Environment, CONTINUED ON PAGE 26

Charting roadmap to averting runway misharps at nation’s airways 28

CBN, IFC rally to enhance credit reporting, funding to businesses 32

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

25

FAO rallies stakeholders for GGW implementation CONTINUED FROM 25

Ibrahim Jibril, stressed the commitment of Nigeria to the realization of the project not only in reclaiming the degraded lands in the affected areas in the Northeast, but also in improving the living condition of the people whose means of livelihood had been greatly eroded by desertification.

The minister 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 the livelihoods of the affected people in the SahelSaharan Region of Africa through the Great Green Wall Initiative.

According to him, with the successful implementation of the projects in the affected states, over 46.4 million lives, which account for about 43 per cent of the nation’s total land area, would be saved. He said the implementation of the project in the frontline areas by the Federal Government of Nigeria was anchored on community participation.

He noted, “We pay particular attention to community participation. Local community participation is central to the planning, implementation and management of the projects that support the aims of the programme. We will continue to stretch the participatory approach by involving the local communities in all interventions, as well as improve communication with our partners at all levels.”

Warning that the programme must not be allowed to fail, he urged all the participating countries to share ideas, compare note and liaise with all relevant agencies and stakeholders. He added, “The Great Green Wall initiative, as an instrument bequeathed to us by our visionary African leaders to extricate our people in the dry lands of the continent from the clutches of poverty, hungry and ignorance, must not be allowed to fail.

“We are duty bound to achieve this objective or face total indignation from the people.

We cannot afford to fail the people of the affected areas. In order to achieve this objective, we must therefore work in synergy and learn from each other.”

He regretted that the continued deterioration of some of the natural resources of the people in the region by desertification had eroded the process of planning for a saver future for the affected communities.

“The people living in this region heavily depend on land, water and vegetation resources for their livelihoods which are fast deteriorating as a result of desertification.

This progressive deterioration of resources over the year has undermined Nigeria efforts in ensuring stable and sustainable future for the affected population in the eleven frontline states. The GGW has, however, given us a much promising and wider window to holistically address these problemshe noted.

On the achievement made so far in the 11 frontline 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.

Amina Mohammed He stated that the capacity building workshop was fallout of the just concluded climate change meeting in Paris, where a number of foreign donors expressed their readiness to support African countries that are implementing the GGW project According to Goni, “The workshop is a follow up to what took place in Paris. In one of the sessions, international donor agencies indicated their interest to support Africa on the GGW programme. It is aimed at supporting the GGW implementation and it is being funded by FAO, supported by EU. Giving update on the implementation of the programme in Nigeria, he added, “We are in the process of transition between planning and implementation. We are now going to third phase of the implementation. Already, we have been able to identify 200 communities; we have traversed all the states that are affected by desertification.

We have also carried out sensitisation programme in a number of local communities.

“We have been able to also train over 5000 farmers in natural regeneration and farm forestry, engage in the construction of about 156 solar and wind powered boreholes as sources of water for the affected people and their livestock, engage over 500 unemployed youths as forest guards, construct five skill acquisition centres for the training of unemployed youths and women in various livelihood activities.”

On the effects of desertification, desertification was a major constraint to economic and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, adding that the World Bank had estimated that “over N10.5 billion is lost annually through deforestation, desertifica-

Gov. Dakingari tion and drought.”

He said,” If we can collectively take action against deforestation and other environmental related issues, we will not only improve land productivity, but would provide the bedrock for agricultural growth and create employment (both on and off-farm) while leading to a positive cycle of economic growth.”

FAO Forestry Officer (Dry Lands), Nora Berrahmouni, said that apart from the 200m euro set aside to help rural communities adapt to the desertification threat, 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.

Berrahmouni explained: “This is a programme of 20 million euro that is funded by the European Union involving 8 countries, 6 GGW countries from Africa are Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Gambia, Senegal and Ethiopia, one country in the Caribbean which is called Haiti and the other one in the pacific.

“This workshop is entitled ‘Regional Great Green Wall Technical Restoration Workshop’. It’s a workshop that was organized in support of the involving GGW countries in West Africa who are involved in the implementation of GGW to enable them share experiences and discus technical issues relating to restoration and find solutions to boost the implementation of the programme.

“This is a project called action against

A lot of people assume that GGW is all about tree planting. In the contrary, it is a combination of various actions to support the communities.

It’s not just planting trees, but planting the species that will first help the communities

desertification in support of the GGW projects Sahara and Sahel. The initiative that is implemented by FAO in collaboration with the EU and Africa Caribbean pacific group of countries is funded by European Union and group of African Caribbean pacific states.”

Also commenting, Forest seed and dry lands restoration expert, Forestry Policy and Resources Division, FOA, Moctar Sacande, noted that the UN agency was more concern with the technical aspect of the GGW programme in relation to its impacts on the communities who bore the burden and the anguish arising from desertification.

According to him, contrary to some people’s belief that GGW is all about planting of tree, the project involves a whole gamut of forestry programme directly connected to the livelihoods of the local communities.

“A lot of people assume that GGW is all about tree planting. In the contrary, it is a combination of various actions to support the communities. It’s not just planting trees, but planting the species that will first help the communities.

“For example, you have some gracing species if you talk about the North. There are a lot of livestock and as such we need to plant the species that can respond to the need of the herdsmen. These are the methodologies that we have been working on. We have also made some assessment of the flora in the region not specifically for Nigeria but for the whole region. “, he added.

Sacande also stressed the need to have a data base for the programme to make it sustainable, explaining that the project was an investment for the future.

He noted, “The GGW is an investment for future; we want the efforts that our children and grand children could benefit from.

Some of the plants that we are putting on the ground now may not have their result in one year time; some have to wait for five years, ten years, and fifteen years before getting yields from them. So how we have to build all these information so that anytime you want to know what is going on, you just consult the database.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

26

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Real Estate & Environment

Fashola eyes N5trn pension savings to boost infrastructure funding

MORTGAGE NOTES with Adenike Fasanya-Osilaja

OLUFEMI ADEOSUN, ABUJA

Email: Nike@MVPSolutionsinc.com https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=35277333

M Gaining access to cheaper mortgage funds

A

s is usually the case, I was involved in a conversation with a very good friend in the Nigerian Legal sector, who specializes in mortgage and real estate transactions.

As is also usually the case, she was not too positive about the possibility of Nigeria making a full transition to a mortgage based real estate sector. She was quite certain that the typical Nigerian homebuyer is still too spooked regarding the idea of owing money on the house they live in, and therefore the number of mortgages funded would probably not support the sector for a long term projection. I responded with the same question I ask anyone with a negative viewpoint of the industry – “Is it enough of a reason for us to then stop trying?” This has become my battle cry for so long, that it is my go to question. Should we be so focused on the possibility of failure that we stop trying to build a sustainable mortgage industry in Nigeria? If we do so, have we not failed simply by our inaction?

With the NMRC gaining approval to issue bonds on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, every company should be training hard to ensure access to these low interest funds they will be raising. As of May 72015, I remember being in a workshop and learning that only one company had so far submitted a request to sell some of their MBS files to the NMRC. If approved, the loan file would be sold at a discount to NMRC, and the bank would then receive funds that they reinjection into their mortgage pool of funds. This is what keeps the market vibrant in most of the developed mortgage markets, and the Nigerian industry should definitely strive to achieve this. Once a mortgage company has raised an initial fund base for mortgage loans, all that would be needed would be for the company to learn to originate NMRC compliant loans.

The company would then simply sell the loans to the NMRC and recapitalize, in order to give out more mortgages. This would ensure that the company stays liquid, remove the burden of the long term loan portfolio, and generate much faster and easier profits. The only caveat is

that the companies would need to be very conversant with the said rules, and with how to package a loan in compliance with NMRC guidelines, and this involves a pretty intensive training process.

Our company, MV Professional Solutions, Inc. is involved in the training of mortgage company staff in Nigeria, and I have found a very disturbing common thread. There is a huge void in the area of mortgage training that actually meets Fannie Mae as required by the IFC/NMRC, Freddie Mac or any other international guidelines. The problem is compounded by the additional burden of having to meet Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as well as the National Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) guidelines.

The good news is that all of these bodies have several overlapping guidelines. The bad news is that pretty much every mortgage company in Nigeria has its own independent proprietary mortgage system for everything from software to loan underwriting processes, and this is a huge hindrance to the standardization of the industry. In our opinion, this is definitely an issue that CBN / NMRC have to address and as soon as possible, to enable document and process compliance.

One of the most unusual practices of the industry is the diversification/progression from giving consumers the mortgage loans directly, to the building and development of estates for sale to their clients. This practice actually seems to move mortgage companies closer to becoming building societies. I have been reliably informed by a top CBN officer however, that CBN will not allow this practice to continue, and that there will soon be a directive barring mortgage companies from building such estates, and limiting them to the provision of finance for mortgages. Training the mortgage officers to effect this change should be a priority, and should be happening right now, because there will need to be a total shift in their mindsets to embrace the new directive.

So, as our MVPS team heads from Chicago, Illinois to Port Har-

court, Nigeria in the very near future to train a 250+ employee mortgage company, we are determined that at the end of the one week training period, the company must be able to immediately start generating NMRC compliant loans, as well as drastically improving the quality of their loan packages.

I look forward to the challenge, and will be back with you upon my return.

As always, make it an awesome day. Please post any comments and/or questions, and I look forward to hearing from you.

The authorities of Lead City University, Ibadan, have once again displayed its resolve to promote staff ’s welfare with the unveiling of an ‘Owner Occupying Housing Scheme’ for members of its workforce.

The university last Wednesday commissioned 72 flats housing estate located about 200 meters to the main campus of the institution at a ceremony coordinated by the Chancellor of the university, Prof. Gabriel Ogunmola and the Chairman, Governing Council, Prof. Jide Owoeye.

Ogunmola, who in his address congratulated the first batch of beneficiaries among the members of staff and also presented them with keys xxxxx to the flats, describing the scheme as a good development meant to facilitate their settling down for better service delivery,.

He said, “This has shown the genuine concern of the management for your welfare and that is why the payment for the flats is structured in a manner that would be convenient for you”.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Olufemi Onabajo, said the scheme which is in tandem with the institution’s policies of ensuring good welfare package for its staff, is in its first phase, assuring that more people would benefit when the project reached its final stage.

ABOUT THE WRITER Fasanya-Osilaja a lawyer and mortgage expert has owned and operated Marvel Ventures Mortgage, Inc. (www.marvelmortgage.com), a Chicagobased Mortgage Brokerage Company since 2000 and has worked in the US Mortgage industry since 1996. She also consults and facilitates industryrequired activities, from set up of mortgage organisations to documentation, training and compliance.

inister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola, has advocated the divestment of the over N5 trillion pension funds into the critical sector of the economy to yield returns.

The minister, who spoke in Abuja during a 3-day retreat by the National Pension Commission, listed areas where the funds could be invested to include road, power plants, housing, refineries, petrochemicals, steel production, sea ports, hospitals, school hostels, prisons among others.

He also implored the private capitalists and foreign investors to review their investment strategies and join hands with the pension administrators and invest in infrastructure development as a way of diversifying and growing the Nigerian economy.

To aid this new investment drive, the minister called for attitudinal change from both government and the people towards the way they react to some national issues, adding

that this would affect the way investors perceive the political environment.

According to him, no investor would be willing to invest in an unfriendly and insecure political environment.

Fashola stated that the pool of pension fund which has exceeded N5 trillion was a veritable source of capital lacking suitable investable vehicles, stressing that unfortunately it has not been diversified into adding value to the lives of the contributors.

The Minister pointed out that across Africa, there were visible infrastructure deficit inhibiting progress and growth, noting that it was lamentable that there was no country with a workable rail service.

He emphasised that most of the ECOWAS highways that connect most countries were currently in deplorable condition. He added that these were facilities that could easily be built and tolled to earn income, secure the return of pension funds invested and add value to contributor’s lives as well as grow the country and regional economies.

Supertall skyscrapers now100 globally –says Council

W

ith the completion of the 432 Park Avenue tower in New York City in December 2015, the number of supertall – measuring at least 300 metres – towers in the world has now reached 100, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.

Located in Manhattan, the super-slim 432 Park Avenue is currently the tallest all-residential building in the world, and ranks 14th overall. It is also the seventh supertall building in New York.

Residences are being sold from USD16.95 million to at least USD76.5 million for full-floor penthouses. The top-level penthouse already sold for around USD95 million.

It took 80 years, from 1930 to 2010, for the first half of supertall buildings to be completed.

But the last five years has seen this figure double, with the majority of supertall towers being located in the Middle East and Asia.

Mainland China has become a major producer of tall structures. According to the Wall Street Journal, China built the

most number of 200-metre skyscapers annually for the eighth consecutive year, notwithstanding the economic slowdown on the Mainland.

“China continues to build more of these towers than any other country, and with over 300 such buildings under construction at the time of this report, it’s plausible to assume that the country’s momentum will continue in the near future,” the Council stated.

Burj Khalifa remains the official tallest building on Earth, but there are future tallest building candidates under construction, such as Jeddah’s Kingdom Tower, or still in the planning stages More than 100 new supertall skyscrapers are projected to be completed in the next 5-6 years, making the supertall category crowded.

An elite category of “megatall” buildings – measuring at least 600 metres high – could be a new benchmark. At present only three megatall structures have been completed, but that is expected to double in the next decade.

(Source – property-report.com)

Real Estate & Environment

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

27

FG to probe 17m housing deficit estimates T

he Federal Government has expressed its readiness to undertake a scientific investigation into the much talked about 17million units housing deficit to ascertain the correctness of the figure.

The 17million figure released by the UN-HABITAT some years

back, has been a reference point in determining the number of housing deficit gaps in the country.

However, the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Raji Fashola, disagreed with the figure, insisting that it could only be valid after a thorough scientific

analysis.

He stated, “We are mindful of some numbers about the size of housing deficit. Those numbers need to be verified and we will undertake a process of scientific assessment to define the accuracy of that data as well as the actual demand.

The minister promised to produce home ownership programme for the country in order to provide decent accommodation to the teeming population.

In order to achieve the housing for all programme, he advocated for an increase in budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Housing.

“For us, consistency is key, annual spending is an imperative. We must change the budget for national housing from N1.8bn in 2015 to something in the hundreds of billions of naira that matches our ambition.

“If we can spend N10 billion in each state and the FCT on housing alone every year subject to (a) the capacity to raise the money(b) the capacity to utilize the funds having regards to our current

construction methods and the time it takes to complete construction, which our ministry intends to change by research and industrialization of housing,” the minister noted.

According to him, one of the programmes the ministry would consider is re-designing of the existing housing roof types to make them ready to receive solar panels for electricity without damaging the roof or cause leakage during installation.

On the multiplier effects of the programme, the minister pointed out that if government succeeded in the current project it will open a new vista for local manufacture of solar panels, create jobs at manufacturing, distributors hip and installation levels, especially for technicians.

Britons foresee growth in property business in 2016

L-R: Coordinator National Programme, Corporate Responsibilty and Policy, Chevron, Mr. Sunday Ogungbemi; Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Mr. Adeniyi Karunwi and recipient of a Chief S.L Edu Grant, Ogunro Nyemike, during at the weekend.

‘Climate Change is Political Propaganda’

O

ne of the original founders of Greenpeace, Dr. Patrick Moore, has announced that climate change is “pure political propaganda that has nothing to do with science,” and that in reality, the world’s “deserts are greening from rising CO2.”

Dr. Moore, who was also the second president of Greenpeace, and whose high profile environmental activist career includes being on board the Rainbow Warrior when it was bombed and sunk by the French government in New Zealand, made his astonishing assertion at a climate summit held in Austin, Texas this week.

The summit, organized by the pro-free market Texas Public Policy Foundation, was also addressed by Dr. Will Happer, Professor of Physics at Princeton University and former director of the US Department of Energy’s Office of Science, and Dr. Richard Lindzen, former Professor of Meteorology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences.

Dr. Lindzen derided what

he termed climate “catastrophism.” He said that the “most important thing to keep in mind is—when you ask ‘is it warming, is it cooling’, etc.— that we are talking about something tiny (temperature changes) and that is the crucial point.”

He also challenged the oftrepeated UN IPCC claim that most of warming over the past 50 years was due to mankind.

“People get excited over this.

Is this statement alarming?

No,” Lindzen stated.

“We are speaking of small changes—0.25 Celsius would be about 51 percent of the recent warming, and that strongly suggests a low and inconsequential climate sensitivity—meaning no problem at all,” Lindzen explained.

“I urge you when looking at a graph, check the scales! The uncertainty here is tenths of a degree,” he noted. “When someone points to this and says this is the warmest temperature on record, what are they talking about? It’s just nonsense. This is a very tiny change period. And they are arguing over hundredths of a degree when it is uncertain in tenths of a degree,” Lindzen

said.

“And the proof that the uncertainty is tenths of a degree are the adjustments that are being made. If you can adjust temperatures to 2/10ths of a degree, it means it wasn’t certain to 2/10ths of a degree,” he said.

“The UN IPCC wisely avoided making the claim that 51 percent of a small change in temperature constitutes a problem. They left this to the politicians and anyone who took the bait,” he said.

Lindzen noted that National Academy of Sciences president Dr. Ralph Cicerone has even admitted that there is no evidence for catastrophic claims of manmade global warming.

Dr. Happer, who has authored over 200 peer-reviewed papers, called policies to reduce CO2 “based on nonsense” and on “computer models that do not work. We are being led down a false path. Our breath is not that different from a power plant,” he continued.

“To call carbon dioxide a pollutant is really Orwellian.

You are calling something a pollutant that we all produce.

Where does that lead us eventually?” he asked.

B

ritons expect house prices to grow further in 2016 despite recent economic troubles sending markets tumbling and warnings from the chancellor. Households in all regions of the UK believe property prices will rise over the coming year, according to January’s House Price Sentiment Index (HSPI), commissioned by estate agent Knight Frank and conducted by research firm Markit.

House prices have grown strongly in recent years because of a fundamental imbalance between supply and demand, a problem particularly acute in London and the south east of England. The ONS said the average UK house price rose 7.7% over the year to November 2015 to reach £288,000 .

In London, this was 9.8% growth to an average price of £537,000.

But Chancellor George Osborne

has said there is now a “dangerous cocktail of risks” to both the domestic and world economies.

China’s powerhouse economy, set to be the world’s largest in a few years, is slowing. Oil prices have crashed. Stock markets are falling amid a big sell-off amid warnings from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Organisation for Economic Co-operation (OECD) that debt levels in emerging markets are dangerously high..

“UK house price sentiment was little-changed overall at the start of 2016, with households across all regions continuing to anticipate rising property values over the course of the year,” said Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit. “Historically, this index has been quick to signal upcoming changes in property market conditions.’

Indonesia edges out ASEAN neighbours as top millionaire hub

M

ore millionaires are now living in Indonesia than in other capital cities in Southeast Asia, except Singapore, according to The Asian Pacific 2016 Wealth Report 2016 by consultancy firm, New World Wealth The new survey, which ranks the growth of high-net-worth individuals (HNWI) and multimillionaires, stated that Indonesia is currently home to about 48,500 millionaires as of the end of 2015.

Since year 2000, the growth of the super-rich population in Indonesia was reported at 525 percent, exceeding the rate in China and India, which placed second and fourth, respectively, last year.

Japan took the top stop in 2015.

Its 1.3 millionaires had a combined wealth of USD15.23 trillion.

In Southeast Asia, Indonesia is only surpassed by Asian fifth-placer Singapore, which hosts 224,000 millionaires. With a total population of about 5 million, Singapore has a large concentration of superrich individuals, as well as a high value of wealth per capita similar to third-placer Australia.

Overall, there are approximately 3.5 million HNWIs in the Asia Pacific region whose cumulative fortune amounts to USD17.7 trillion.

The rest of the top 10 includes Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and New Zealand.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Aviation

Charting roadmap to averting runway mishaps at nation’s airports Aviation stakeholders and industry professionals converged on Lagos last week at a three-day seminar organized by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, to deliberate on how runway incidents and accidents could be reduced drastically at the nation’s airports. OLUSEGUN KOIKI reports.

M

ost ground damage incidents in the global aviation industry receive little, if any, public attention. However, ground damage constitutes a significant financial, operational and safety issues to airlines, particularly given the aviation industry’s razorthin profit margin for airlines.

Statistics by the Flight Safety Foundation estimated that ramp accidents cost major airlines worldwide at least $10 billion a year. These accidents affect airport operations, result in personnel injuries and damage aircraft, facilities and ground-support equipment. Another organisation, The Foundation also estimated that 27,000 ramp accidents and incidents — one per 1,000 departures — occur worldwide annually.

Ground damage is associated with safety risks that cannot be underestimated. About 243,000 people are injured each year in ground occurrence accidents and incidents; the injury rate is nine per 1,000 departures.

Aircraft physical damage includes labour costs, material costs, handling fees for parts and materials used for repair, aircraft finance costs and cost of capital while the aircraft is out of service, temporary leasing costs of aircraft spare parts when replacements and repairs are not readily available to ensure aircraft serviceability.

Others are, costs to ferry the damaged aircraft to a repair station or base station, extra parking costs, including overtime and security for the damaged aircraft at the current location and external claims administrative costs.

Nigeria is not immune from such ramp or runway incidents or accidents. In fact, airside incident or accident has forced some of the local airlines to close shop abruptly with billions of naira lost to avoidable disaster.

Virtually all the airlines operating or that operated in the country from Arik Air, Aero, Chanchangi, Air Peace and several others have had one or more ramp incidents. The recent being the ones involving Emirates-Hak Air and two FirstNation Airways aircraft at the Murta-

Hak and Emirates

Runway incident involving Emirates and

Hak Air aircraft at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, recently.

African continent accounts for the least volume of flight and passenger movement as compared to other continents of the world,

Africa nevertheless accounts

for the highest rate of fatal aircraft accidents globally la Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos runway area.

On July 6, 2015 at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, a serious incident involving flight UAE 782, Boeing 777-200LR with the registration number A6-EWD of Emirates and Hak Air’s B737-400 with the registration number 5N-BOU, occurred at the airport.

The incident occurred when the aircraft was taxing to the take-off point for departure to Dubai. The Emirates aircraft’s right hand wingtip had a contact with the tail of a Hak Air aircraft parked at the apron of the airport.

Less than two weeks later, two aircraft of FirstNation, Airbus 330 also had ground collision at the same airport. One of the aircraft involved in the incident was taxiing from the

runway to Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2, to disengage passengers while the other aircraft was preparing to take off to Port Harcourt Airport from the same terminal.

According to reports,the Marshallers allegedly misdirected the pilot of the aircraft, which led to the serious incident.

However, in a bid to reduce to the minimal level such incident or accident on the runway, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, in collaboration with other aviation agencies like the Nigerian Civil Aviation Organisation, NCAA, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET, organized a three-day workshop for all stakeholders especially those that work at the airside and others that have businesses to do with aviation in the country.

Statistics released by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, at the workshop with the theme ‘Runway Safety Go Team; Runway incursion, excursion and confusion, ‘ indicated that no fewer than 27 air incidents and accidents, had been recorded in the country in the past five years at the runway area of the nation’s airports.

Out of the number, the regulatory agency revealed that runway incidents and accidents accounted for 56 per cent.

The Director-General, NCAA, Capt. Muktar Usman, who was represented at the occasion by the Director of Operations, NCAA, Capt. Abdullahi Sidi declared that there was a need for all the agencies in the sector to collaborate with one another to enhance safety in all ramifications of aviation most especially the airside.

He decried that Africa was rated as the continent with the highest number of accidents in the world, maintaining that if incursions, excursion and confusion on the runways were reduced, it would also reduce the accident rates in Africa.

Usman maintained that there was a need to improve safety at the airsides especially at the four major airports in the country; Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano by removing all the impediments at the runway, stressing that NCAA as the regulatory authority would ensure that improvements were recorded in all spheres of the sector.

In his own statistics, the Managing Director, NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam disclosed that the workshop became necessary as it has been observed that runway was responsible for 50 per cent of global aviation fatal accidents.

He said that in order to curb this, the International Civil Aviation Authority, ICAO, via its resolution A37-6, mandated states to ensure the effective establishment of Runway Safety Teams at all international airports., positing that the primary objective of establishing the Runway Safety Teams was to enhance collaborative decision making amongst various stakeholders involved in runway operations, as necessary for safety, efficiency and economy of flight operations within terminal areas.

He noted that the Abuja Declaration that emanated from the resolutions of the Ministerial Conference of African Ministers of Transportation in July 2012, recommended the implementation of appropriate measures to reduce the rate of fatal accidents within the African continent by not less than 50 per cent in order to bring it down to the global rate.

He added, “The above decision was necessitated by the fact that while the African continent accounts for the least volume of flight and passenger movement as compared to other continents of the world, Africa nevertheless accounts for the highest rate of fatal aircraft accidents globally.

“Runway Safety consists of three key elements namely: runway incursion, runway excursion and runway confusion. Runway Incursion is the unauthorised presence of an aircraft, vehicle, person, animal or object on a runway or associated runway strip that constitute a hazard to aircraft landing, taking off or taxiing within the movement area of an aerodrome.”

A consultant in airline operations, Bill Johnson observed that during airline ground operations, risks are concentrated in the movement, control, guiding and synchronisation of ground equipment with other pieces of equipment or other vendors working around the aircraft.

He however noted that cargo operations are typically more vulnerable because of the extent of damage caused by large, solid, heavy objects, noting that cargo operations are frequently not as well supervised by airside workers.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

29

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Greater Washington Logistics empowers 600 youth on cargo business Olusegun Koiki

O

ne of the major cargo companies in the Nigerian aviation industry, Greater Washington Logistics, has empowered no fewer than 600 youths on cargo business.

The company said that the empowerment and training of the youths was part of its Corporate Social Responsibilities, CSR, to reduce the high unemployment rate in the country.

The applicants who were trained for five days at the conference hall of the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL, were exposed to the rudiments of cargo business in Nigeria and how to source for them.

The company’s Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Brown, told journalists in Lagos that the training would enable some of the youths to be selfemployed and be able to set up their own franchise companies in the future, adding that it was also in-line with the plans of the Federal Government to reduce unemployment rates in the country.

Brown hinted that some of the brilliant trainees among them would be absorbed into the system by the manage-

: L-R: Representative of Airport Council International, ACI, Douw Smuts, IATA representative, Seda Protus, ICAO representative, Albert Taylor, NCAA Director of Operations, Capt. Abdulahi Sidi, NAMA MD, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam, IATA representative, Adefunke Adeyemi and FAAN Director of Operations, Capt. Henry Omeagwu at the Runway Safety Workshop in Lagos.

ment, but noted that the major essence of the training was for the youths to make extra money through cargo and logistics business.

She said: “The primary aim is just to give back to the society and at the end of the training, we will identify the scholars among them and employ a few of them. As we all know, there is really no jobs out there and we all have to keep the youth aware of what they can do for themselves to make extra money and take people off the street. With this, they will have knowledge of things they can do and make extra money for themselves.”

Also commenting, the Assistant General Manager, Corporate Services and Admin, Mr. Bright Aghogban said that the company had always taken safety and training as a very key objective that must be met by all.

He declared that in order to ensure safety at all times, the company had consistently in the past two years trained registered agents that carry goods on its platform airlines, which he said had reduced carriage of dangerous goods onboard airlines drastically.

On the trainees, Aghogban told journalists that the company exposed them to where the cargo items could be sourced and trained them on every skill required to survive in aviation industry.

Air Cote d’Ivoire takes delivery of 3rd Bombardier Q400

T

he national carrier of Ivory Coast has taken delivery of its third new bombardier Q400 aircraft.

The airline in a statement issued in Lagos by its media consultant said that it received the third Bombardier Q400 from the Canadian manufacturer.

The statement hinted further that the same aircraft company would also deliver a fourth aircraft to it by the end of April in accordance with the contract agreement signed by both parties.

The airline said that the acquisition of the airplanes was the first step in the process of renewal and reinforcement of its fleet by the end of 2016, which included nine aircraft.

Apart from this, it stated that ne-

Air cote Divoire

gotiations were underway with Airbus for the order of five new aircraft including three A319 and two A320.

These new aircraft it said would gradually replace the equipment operating in rent, stressing that they would be equipped with the latest technology and offer exceptional comfort to customers.

The company currently has eight aircraft composed of four Airbus A319, one Airbus A320 and three new Bombardiers Q400.

The current capital of 25 billion CFA francs is held by the State of Côte d’Ivoire (65 per cent), Air France (20 per cent) and Golden Rod (15 per cent).

The statement added, “The recapitalisation of the airline company from 25 to 65 billion capital should be effective before the end of January

2016. BOAD will also enter the capital of Air Côte d’Ivoire. The company intends to launch another increase to more than 100 billion at the end of 2016 in order to acquire substantial resources to support its development.

“Remember that the airline serves 20 cities to date in West Africa and the Central Africa with frequent and direct flights on 70 per cent of its network. After two and half years of activity, it ranks first among the airport Felix Houphouet Boigny actors with over 40 per cent of traffic and a punctuality rate set at 85 per cent.”

Airside shegzzy4live2000@yahoo.co.uk 08186007273

One airport, three terminals, different rules

T

he Murtala Muhammed Airport, MMA, Lagos has three terminals; the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MMA2, and the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA. Two of these terminals are owned and controlled by the Federal Government through the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, while the third, MMA2 is controlled by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, BASL. Airside observes that the sanitation situations of the three terminals are poles apart. At GAT, the environment is clumsy, unorganised with urine odour oozing out from the inadequate car park while touting activities even among the airlines staff is on the high side.

At MMIA, unlike the GAT, the environment is cleaner, more user-friendly, but at times these are beclouded with breakdown of facilities like the air conditioners and consistent power outage, no thanks to ageing cables.

Also, at MMIA, despite the fact that airport environment especially terminals are supposed to be tour-

ism centres, the stern security officers at the entrance gate pretend to prevent those accompanying air travellers from gaining access to the terminal, but are allowed in after exchange of ‘palms.’

But, at MMA2, the story is different. The entrance to the terminal is open to all without jeopardising security. Like in MMIA, at the entrance, security personnel are detained there with a bulldog, but no physical screening of users. Despite this free access, touting activities are reduced to almost zero while security personnel either in mufti or BASL in-house security inspect and screen every user without their knowledge unless those who are familiar to the terrain know this.

Ironically, the same security personnel that are posted to GAT and MMIA and also detailed at MMA2, but when they are posted to MMA2, their characters change. Airside says FAAN and other authorities should take a cue from MMA2 management and stop embarrassing users of airport terminals across the country. Airports are supposed to be user-friendly anywhere in the world.

Osun govt and airport project

T

he Osun State Government has been in the news in recent times over the ongoing construction of the Moshood Abiola International Airport, Ido Osun.

While the true cost of the airport project is not made public, there are allegations that the project has been inflated severally by the State Government.

Latest of such allegation came recently from the state’s Peoples Democratic Party chapter which claimed that the government inflated the project by N11 billion. It alleged that the project was overblown from N4.5 billion to N15.5 billion, but expectedly, the State Government debunked the claim.

The airport project, which the current government inherited, is close to a decade and yet, not much

progress has been recorded on it.

The Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola administration has since the beginning of his administration mentioned the project as one of those that would be completed within his government, but it appears fiscal constraints are hampering the project’s execution.

Airside says that the government has been too silent on the current cost of the project despite enquiries and accusations from several quarters and feels it is high time the actual cost is made public.

Airside and other concerned aviation analysts hope the Moshood Abiola International Airport will not be another abandoned project just as thousands of similarly good but failed projects across the country. As the saying goes, only time will tell.

Delta Airlines’ pre-tax income up 29% in 2015

D

elta Air Lines has announced that it earned $9 billion pre-tax income in 2015 commercial year. The money represented 29 per cent increase over 2014 on a similar basis.

The airline also said that its December quarter adjusted pre-tax income of $1.45 billion, was a 42 per cent increase year over year within the same period.

Statement issued in Lagos by the media consultant of the airline in Nigeria hinted that Delta’s adjusted net income was $926 million or $1.18 per diluted share, up 51 per cent from the December quarter of 2014.

Delta’s Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Richard Anderson said that the airline’s performance for 2015 was a record for it on all fronts with industry-leading operational performance, superior customer satisfaction, and a $5.9 billion adjusted pre-tax profit.

Anderson noted that these results showed the commitment of the Delta people to running the best airline in the world every day.

He added, “It’s an honour to reward their performance with $1.5 billion in profit sharing for the year.

As we look ahead to 2016, we have a significant opportunity to improve our performance even further.

“With over $3 billion in potential savings from lower fuel prices and numerous commercial, operational and cost initiatives already in place, we expect to again perform in the top tier of the S&P Industrials on earnings growth, margins, and cash flows this year despite global economic challenges.”

The statement however said that Delta’s operating revenue for the December quarter decreased by two per cent, or $145 million, due to $160 million in foreign currency pressures while passenger unit revenues declined 1.6 per cent, which includes approximately two points of impact from foreign currency.

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Insurance

Mutual Benefits, PZ Cussons partner on insurance penetration drive Isaac Asabor

U

nderwriting company, Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, has entered into a strategic partnership with Cool World Electrical Retail Stores, a subsidiary of PZ Cuzzons as part of its efforts to deepen insurance penetration in the country.

The partnership, which was formalised with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), entails the underwriting company to provide a combined insurance cover with personal accident extension on selected home and office appliances bought from Cool World.

A statement by the insurance company indicated that it was poised to take insurance to the grassroots through the deal by ensuring that all products bought by customers from Cool World in the country will be insured for all form of household damages ranging from fire, material damage and theft.

Speaking at the event, the Group

Managing Director of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc, Mr. Akin Ogunbiyi said that the partnership is aimed at adding more value to the products that are sold

by Cool world through Insurance.

He pointed out that his company was committed to the partnership and hoping

I

ration” are needed for insurance to get to the grassroots which translates to taking insurance to the common man.

The Commercial Director Cool World, Mr Olugbenga Kolawole, said that the partnership would bring radical changes to the retail business in the country, noting further that customers do not have to worry of any household or material damage of any Cool world products bought since they are fully insured by Mutual Benefits.

Insurance penetration lowest in Ghana’s financial sector L awrence Segbefia

I Ogunbiyi

Global reinsurer, XL Catlin applies for licence in India reland-based global reinsurance firm XL Catlin has announced plans to enter India and has already begun the licensing process to establish its branch, aiming to seamlessly tap into the country’s growing market.

The company said the decision to pursue market entry into India aligns with its strategy of establishing a presence in emerging and developing markets where economic activity is increasing and the reinsurance market would benefit from its global expertise.

An application has been filed with Insurance Regulatory Development Authority of India seeking to establish a reinsurance branch office, the firm said in a statement.

The company expects to commence operations in India later this year.

India has seen significant economic development over the past years, leading it to overtake China in terms of GDP growth across 2015. Economic reforms and improved infrastructure have led to a growing middle-class and increased private consumption, which in turn benefits the local economy and helps raise living standards.

“We find that in India there is a huge de-

to take it to other parts of West Africa.

In his remarks, the Managing Director of Mutual benefits General Insurance, Segun Omosehin said that the partnership is strategic to the redefinition of the landscape of insurance in such a way that it becomes beneficial to the common man.

Omosehin said that the company was determined to spread insurance to the grassroots, adding that the business practices of “partnership and collabo-

sire to have seamless access to reinsurance capacity. The local market needs a reinsurer with global scale and technical capabilities, with underwriters based locally who understand the risks and can offer breadth of product,” Greg Hendrick, XL Catlin’s chief executive of the reinsurance segment, said.

Mike McGavick, the chief executive officer, said: “The re-insurance market in India is primed for development. This is the right time for us, and getting the right people on the ground, offering the right solutions will define our success.

“Traditionally, the reinsurance market has been under-represented in the region, but we are now in a position to be in the first tier of global foreign reinsurers opening owned branches in India. Meeting the regulatory requirements is a key priority for us, as we move forward to demonstrate our commitment to this growing market.”

XL Catlin has had service operations in India since 2004, delivering a range of business support services. It also has colleagues spread across offices in Gurgaon & Bengaluru.

(Source - freepressjournal.in)

nsurance Figures gathered by the Business Day show that insurance penetration in Ghana as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing at a slower pace against the expectations of financial experts.

As at June 2015, commercial banks in Ghana owned 75 per cent of the assets in the financial sector, while insurance companies owned just five percent.

Measured as a percentage of GDP, insurance penetration still remains below two per cent after hovering around 1.5 per cent for many years, while South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius and Kenya have penetration rates of 14.5 per cent, 7.5 per cent, 5.7 per cent and 3.17 per cent respectively, —according to the African Insurance Organization report, 2014.

Speaking in an interview with the Business Day, the Head of Bancassurance at Stanbic Bank Ghana, Henry Manyo-Plange explained that the sector has a bright outlook as insurance companies partner banks to provide insurance products.

“We at Stanbic Bank have quite a success story when it comes to bancassurance; we have over 50,000 life cover policies”, he said, adding that, the bank outdoored the product barely two and a half years ago but doing very well.

Mr. Manyo-Plange attributed Stanbic’s success in the penetration rate to

a deliberate move to consider bancassurance as a business unit and not just a desk in the bank’s operations.

“Bancassurance is a whole business unit on its own and we at Stanbic recognize that, hence we treat it as a full proposition under the Personal and Business Banking operations”, he said.

Even though the Bank of Ghana and the National Insurance Commission have granted licenses to over twenty banks to operate bancassurance service, the product is barely patronized by the banking population due to lack of education.

Another major hindrance in the insurance penetration is the large unbanked population of over 70 per cent, most of whom are in the informal sector.

According to Mr. Manyo-Plange, the challenge could be addressed by encouraging the informal sector to join the banking population in order to have access to some of the profitable banking products that are available.

“The unbanked population is a general challenge to the financial sector as a whole because it creates a gap in channeling resources from those who hold it to those who need it for investment,” he explained.

Touching on the licensing regime, he maintained that the regulators could look at expanding the scope for banks in the future to enable them use technology to enroll customers into bancassurance service. Source: http:// businessdayghana.com/

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Money

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

31

Putting N50 Stamp Duty on banking transactions in proper perspectives For the past one week, thousands of bank customers have been lamenting over the latest circular by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, requiring the payment of N50 Stamp Duty on certain categories of banking transactions, with many of them ignorantly accusing the apex bank of imposing further charges on them. In this analysis, TOLA AKINMUTIMI, takes a critical look at the new policy directive within the context of CBN’s roles in its enforcement.

W

hen the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, last week reeled out the guidelines on planned move by government to commence the collection of the N50 Stamp Duty on certain transactions in the banking sector, not a few customers perceived the measure as another attempt by the monetary authorities to extort them on their hard earned incomes, especially in the face of current financial challenges in the country.

The CBN, had in its Circular titled, “Collection and Remittance of Statutory Charges on Receipts to Nigeria Postal Service under the Stamp Duties Act,” explained the rationale behind the planned enforcement of the Stamp Duties Act provisions as they relate to financial transactions.

The apex bank, in furtherance of its mandate as enunciated in its enabling law, therefore directed banks and other financial institutions to ensure compliance with the new policy measure in view of its relevance to current efforts by government to boost non-oil revenue through taxes and other statutory collections.

Since the circular came out, some bank customers have reacted to the directive with emotional instincts by accusing the apex bank of imposing the charge, with some alleging that the money would ultimately be shared between the CBN and the Deposit Money Banks, DMBs, and other financial institutions on agreed ratio to be later determined by them.

A bank customer, who simply identified herself as Sister Kate, told National Mirror after conducting transactions last Friday in one of the banks located in Marina Street, Lagos, that she could not fathom why the charge would be introduced given the sundry charges being paid by customers to banks in their daily transactions.

“I think what they are trying to do is that the commercial banks are trying to make up for the huge impact of the TSA policy implementation on their deposit base or the money in their vaults. With this new charge, they can begin to recoup part of the associated losses of the billions of payments by tax payers and other businesses to their banks which the TSA policy has stopped.

“For me, I don’t think the CBN should have allowed itself to be used for this type of deal. Even if government wants to raise more revenue, it should have come out in a better way and not use CBN as the announcer of the plan”, Kate said.

In his remarks, Akintayo Ayodeji, who is an economic analyst, described the implementation of the Stamp Duties Act provisions as they relate to banking transactions now as ill-timed, warning that the enforcement may prove in the medium and

CBN Governor, Emefiele

National Coordinator, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, BCAN, Dr Uju Ogubunka

The CBN is just, in this instance, playing the script written by government. As the circular indicated, the charge or duty of N50 belongs to government and what happens here is that the CBN as banker to the government is only going to make the banks remit collections for onward transfer to government accounts long terms to be injurious to bank customers and possibly the economy in the long run as it could discourage savings.

According to him, the role of the CBN could be likened to the Biblical tax collector’s who is usually despised by tax payers in the task of fulfilling his mandate as defined by the authorities.

Ayodeji argued that notwithstanding what the apex bank may say on the issue, many bank customers, especially the illiterate ones may not understand that the N50 charge on eligible transactions belongs to government and not the banks.

“The CBN is just, in this instance, playing the script written by government. As the circular indicated, the charge or duty of N50 belongs to government and what happens here is that the CBN as banker to the government is only going to make the banks remit collections for onward transfer to government accounts. We cannot blame CBN on this.

“But then, my fear is that how many customers will understand how this system? One of my neighbours, an artisan, said he heard about the new directive yesterday and started blaming the banks, in-

cluding the CBN for excessive charges on depositors. I don’t think the CBN should be blamed for this directive”, Ayodeji said.

As has been its strategy of engagement and openness to discussions on various policies introduced by it and government over the past few years, the apex bank last Thursday responded to feelers from the public on the N50 Stamp Duty charge, clarifying that the charge is not applicable to all transactions but on certain categories.

Speaking on the issue with journalists in Abuja, the apex bank’s Director, Corporate Communications, Mallam Ibrahim Mu’azu, explained that the guidelines simply advised banks and other financial institutions operating in the country to commence the collection of N50 on eligible transactions only.

According to him, such eligible transactions include, all receipts given by a bank or financial institution in acknowledgment of services rendered in respect of teller deposits and electronic transfers of the value of N1000 and above.

Mu’azu explained that the implementation of the Stamp Duty at this point in time emanated from a federal high court

order that the CBN should direct deposit money banks (DMBs) under its supervision to commence the collection of the duty on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, in compliance with the provisions of the Stamp Duties Act 2004 and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Financial Regulation of 2009.

Consequently, he disclosed that the DMBs had been directed to commence the collection of the N50 stamp duty and remit same to the Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) on behalf of the customer.

Clarifying further, the Director explained that the N50 stamp duty would be charged per transaction and not per volume, adding that irrespective of the amount, the sum of N50 is to be charged provided such a transaction is N1,000 and above.

He, however, listed some exemptions specified in the scheduled to the Stamp Duties Act 2004 (under the caption “receipt”). These include, payments of salaries and wages, payments, deposits or self to self whether inter or intra bank among others.

What could be taken from the explanations by the apex bank so far on the N50 Stamp Duty charge is that, despite misgivings about some of its policies, the management of the bank has consistently demonstrated clearly its readiness to engage the public and clarify gray areas of policy measures introduced by government in the overall interest of the country.

As the enforcement of the N50 Stamp Duty takes effect, many analysts see the CBN as playing a critical role in the drive to boost government revenue for development and therefore should be commended rather than be disparaged for fulfilling one of its core mandates.

Curiously, in what appeared a related development, the United Kingdom (UK) Government had under proposals announced at its Autumn Statement higher rates of stamp duty land tax (SDLT) that will apply from April 2016 to purchases in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland of buy-to-lets and second homes that cost more than GBP40,000 (USD56,706).

According to the government, the rates will be three percentage points above the current SDLT rates, and will be charged on the portion of the value of the property that falls into each SDLT band.

The first GBP125,000 of the property price is exempt from stamp duty. A rate of two percent is payable on the portion up to GBP250,000, five percent on the portion up to GBP925,000, ten percent up to GBP1.5m, and 12 percent on the value above GBP1.5m.

32

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Capital Market CBN, IFC rally to enhance credit reporting, funding to businesses Johnson Okanlawon

F

ollowing the collaboration of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, with the International Finance Corporation, IFC, Nigerians will be able to take bank loans using their reputation, generators, deep freezers, school certificates, farm produce such as rice and beans, and many unconventional properties.

Already, the two organisations have started awareness campaign to make the public appreciate the functions and importance of credit reporting and collateral registry, as the CBN will make available BVN to the credit bureaux that will enhance the quality of their data base and increase the rate of successful searches.

At a workshop in Lagos last week, both the CBN and IFC said that a Nigerian collateral register will be launched in the first quarter of 2016. The collateral registry, which is an electronic public database that contains information on security interests in movable property, is aimed at improving ease of loan application for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, MSMEs, within the country.

The CBN Assistant Director, Projects, Mainasara Muhammad, explained that after the launch, Nigerians will be able to use moveable assets such as cars, generators, deep freezers and farm produce as collateral for loans.

He said: “We want to take banking to the rural doorstep, whereby a bean cake seller can walk into the bank and say manager, tomorrow is Friday, I don’t have any money, I need N5,000 to buy beans, I want to fry bean cake tomorrow on our market day, and he’d give her the loan not based on collateral.

“You can go to the banks and say I have this, and I need a loan. The practice we have in most microfinance banks is that they would take your car and give you a loan and park it in their premises. No. Now, they’d take your car, register it and give it back to you, but note that someone already has an interest on that car”, Muhammad added.

According to him, the Bank of Industry had begun granting loan request with tertiary institution and NYSC certificates as collateral, urging graduates to take the advantage.

He stressed that the registry gives publicity to security interests that may exist in identified collateral and establish priority of secured creditors according to the time of registration.

“The registry provides a platform for searches, so that an interested party may find out if there are prior registrations against the assets offered by the debtors as collateral for a loan. Farm products including crops (growing, grown, or to be grown), fish stocks, poultry and livestock (and their unborn offspring), seeds, fertilizers, manure can all be used as loan col-

SEC DG, Gwarzo

World Bank MD, Yong Kim

Three years after the project completion (in Nigeria), the aim is to have generated $20 billion in financing, benefiting 40,000 SMEs, 5,000 micro enterprises, and 8,000 women entrepreneurs. It is expected that 10 financial institutions will be using the collateral registry by then. The collateral registry is also expected to work with the credit bureau association of

Nigeria (CBAN) to establish provide

credit report on everybody interested in taking loan within the country lateral, “he added.

Another CBN top official, Steven Adiuko, said the CBN was upgrading the Credit Risk Management System, CRMS, to receive all facilities irrespective of the amount and will in future link it to the private credit bureaux. He added that the apex bank is providing interventions to micro, small and medium enterprises with facilities and training on records keeping and on the need to have quality credit reports.

However, he said that the credit reporting industry in the country was still faced with partial or irregular data submission, saying that not all customers and loan information are reported.

Some of the challenges include missed or late submission of monthly credit data, incomplete or stale information and credit reports are not ordered for all new facilities.

He added that not all banks obtain credit reports for quarterly portfolio monitoring and for those that do, not all facilities are monitored.

Adiuko, an Assistant Director at the apex bank, noted that the relevance of

credit bureaus in the Nigerian economy is not fully appreciated, as to some banks risk managers, is another CBN regulation to be complied with, while some borrowers see it as unnecessary additional cost of lending.

The Project Manager of the Nigerian Financial Infrastructure Project, Ubong Awah, stressed that the collateral registryhas worked in Ghana, Malawi and Ebola-ridden Liberia, providing N45 billion ($226 million) in loans for Liberian MSMEs in one year.

“Three years after the project completion (in Nigeria), the aim is to have generated $20 billion in financing, benefiting 40,000 SMEs, 5,000 micro enterprises, and 8,000 women entrepreneurs. It is expected that 10 financial institutions will be using the collateral registry by then. The collateral registry is also expected to work with the credit bureau association of Nigeria (CBAN) to establish provide credit report on everybody interested in taking loan within the country.

“The credit bureaus are saddled with the responsibility of providing credit information on individuals and entities

from various sources and give to lenders “in order to enable them assess the creditworthiness of (loan) applicants”, Awah hinted.

He added that the CBN having been saddled with the responsibility of ensuring the stability of the financial system has been formulating policies aimed at achieving a sound and stable financial system.

In doing that, he said, the bank found it pertinent to pursue policies that targeted the stability of the financial system which is regularly threatened by unpleasant banking practices and the accretion of toxic assets. “It was our commitment to establishing a sound and strong financial system that led us to vigorously pursue the development of the key financial infrastructures like the payments system, credit reporting systems and collateral registry,” he said.

It should be recalled that credit reporting in Nigeria has its antecedents in the financial crisis of the late 1980’s and early 1990s when large quantum of nonperforming credits bedevilled the banking industry.

That era witnessed persistently rising incidence of abandoned facilities in Nigerian banks with attendant losses and erosion of banks’ capital. To arrest the situation, the CBN in January 1998 established the CRMS, a public credit registry operated by the CBN that Banks were to report to and check-up all credits above N1 million.

The bank, in furtherance of the powers conferred on it in the then newly enacted CBN Act, Cap 7 of 2007, released the guidelines for the licensing, operations and regulations of credit bureaux in Nigeria in 2008.

Three privately owned credit bureaux - XDS Credit Bureau, CR Services Credit Bureau and CRC Credit Bureau were subsequently licensed by the bank. The private credit bureaux were established to play the vital role of assisting the CBN in the effective management of credit risk within the banking system whilst facilitating access to finance in the economy by providing relevant information (especially on the borrowing history and behavior of a loan applicant) that will enable lending institutions make good lending decisions.

They were to also encourage reliance on reputational collateral rather than physical collateral and thereby drive responsible credit expansion. The credit bureau guidelines issued in October 2008 were revised in the year 2013 in order to provide a more robust legal framework that would serve as a platform for the sustainable growth of the sector.

Subsequently, all the credit bureaux adopted the new guidelines and cleaned up their database of all the wrong and misleading data they were carrying.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

33

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Illegal bunkering site uncovered near NPA in Rivers

T

A cross section of participants at the Niger Delta Inter-Agency Consultative meeting on the recent crisis in the Niger Delta Region, convened by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in Abuja, recently.

Killers of traditional ruler’ll be brought to book –Okowa

G

overnor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta has condemned the gruesome murder of Obi Ofulue III, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area of the state and promised to unmask the assailants.

Okowa spoke on Monday, during a condolence visit to the Obi’s Palace at Ubulu-Uku. The governor assured members of the Obi-in-Council and the people of Ubulu-Uku that security operatives would unmask those involved in the heinous crime that led to the death of the traditional ruler.

Okowa described the incident as unfortunate and terrible, adding that a promising traditional ruler in the state had to be killed in his prime.

“This is terrible, this is something nobody prays for, unfortunately, it has happened, he was one of the promising traditional rulers we had in the state; a peacebuilder, and at all times you see the royalty in him.

“It is my prayer and the prayers of all Deltans that the almighty God will give the people the fortitude to bear this loss.

‘’God alone gives peace and may He give you (the people of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom) the peace of mind required to take the next step in going forward.

“The police have made some arrests, the State Security Service and other security agencies are working to unravel what happened.

“Our country is being bedeviled by one manner of kidnapping and abduction or the other. ‘’We never knew that it would deteriorate to a level where a royal father would be abducted and murdered,” the

governor lamented.

Okowa called for calm saying, “as we mourn, we must ensure that there is peace in the community”.

Mr Joseph Obaze, Secretary to the Obi-in-Council, who responded on behalf of the council, commended the efforts made by the governor and security agencies during the trying period.

He said: “This has never happened in the history of Ubulu-Uku Kingdom and we would like the culprits to be brought to book.”

We must set up strong institution to fight corruption –Gov. Emmanuel

G

overnor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Monday called for the establishment of strong institutional structures to ensure the success of the fight against corruption.

The governor stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents after a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, all the

36 governors of the federation had resolved to wage war against corruption in their various states, saying that all hands must be on deck in the fight against corrupt practices. ``Corruption is not in terms of the magnitude. It is core value system that really needs to be analysed and actually see if we can get rid of it out of the fabric of our own society. ``We strongly support the

fight against corruption. All the governors in Nigeria are waging the same war in their different domains, and trying to set up structures, trying to see how we can minimise, at least, if not possible to deal with it overnight to eliminate them. ``But at least we must deal with corruption even to the barest minimum, that is totally insignificant in the system and I think, that is where we are heading to.”

On the outcome of his meeting with the president, the governor revealed that he had a fruitful economic discussion with President Buhari, and also briefed him on the happenings in Akwa Ibom. ``Specifically, I came here today because there are some investments opportunities that we have to discuss, so I had to brief the president on these opportunities. ``It was purely a business meeting,’’ he said.

he Nigerian Navy on Sunday said it had discovered an illegal oil bunkering site at government-owned Ship Builders Yard facility located near the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Commodore Sanusi Ibrahim, Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Port Harcourt, made this known to journalists.

He took journalists to the site of the illegal bunkering activities disclosing that five suspects were arrested at the site.

Naval troops, Ibrahim said, had already been deployed to the site of the illegal activities at Makoba Beach, almost immediately information got to the Navy.

His words: “Following intelligence tip-off, we raided the area and discovered seven different storage facilities in a secret make-shift facility at the Ship Builders Yard very close to Ibeto cement and NPA. “During investigation, we discovered illegal activities which involved bunkering of illegally refined petroleum products and lifting of diesel to wooden boats, trucks and tanker trucks.

“Several drums loaded with stolen diesel and two trucks waiting to load petroleum products, among other equipment were seen at the site.

“Five suspects, including the driver and three conductors of the trucks were arrested, while others fled the scene on sighting advancing naval operatives.”

Commodore Ibrahim, represented by Lt.-Cdr. Sunday Haruna, the NNS Pathfinder Base Operation Officer, said that investigations were already being carried out to get to the root of the illegal activities and those involved.

According to him, “Navy operatives are currently trailing some individuals who have been identified as sponsors and owners of the illegal bunkering site.”

Capital Market

34

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Thursday, January 26, 2016

Stock exchange daily equities summary Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000

Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016

Equities as at January 25, 2016

Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000

Daily Summary (Equities)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Daily Summary (Bonds) No Debt Trading Activity

1st Tier Securities

1st Tier Securities Sector

Company name

Daily Summary (Equities) No Of Deals Quotation(N)

Quantity Traded

Value of Shares(N)

Activity Summary on Board EQTY AGRICULTURE Crop Production FTN COCOA PROCESSORS PLC OKOMU OIL PALM PLC. PRESCO PLC Crop Production Totals Livestock/Animal Specialties LIVESTOCK FEEDS PLC. Livestock/Animal Specialties Totals

Symbol FTNCOCOA OKOMUOIL PRESCO

No. of Deals 1 11 8 20

Current Price 0.50 30.00 33.00

Quantity Traded 5,000 80,932 45,316 131,248

Value Traded 2,500.00 2,508,164.74 1,549,090.66 4,059,755.40

Symbol LIVESTOCK

No. of Deals 11 11

Current Price 1.37

Quantity Traded 250,754 250,754

Value Traded 342,527.91 342,527.91

382,002

4,402,283.31

Current Price 0.60 0.92 1.32 19.93

Quantity Traded 150,000 100 23,140,558 2,349,298 25,639,956

Value Traded 90,000.00 88.00 30,523,019.28 46,842,246.41 77,455,353.69

25,639,956

77,455,353.69

AGRICULTURE Totals

CONGLOMERATES Totals CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Infrastructure/Heavy Construction JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals

31

Symbol AGLEVENT JOHNHOLT Daily Summary TRANSCORP UACN

No. of Deals 2 1 (Equities) 217 77 297 297

Symbol JBERGER

No. of Deals 6 6

Current Price 42.00

Quantity Traded 51,225 Page 51,225

11 1 2,258,975.10 of 2,258,975.10

Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals

Symbol UAC-PROP

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 5.08

Quantity Traded 178,039 178,039

Value Traded 937,966.96 937,966.96

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals 1 1

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

230,264

3,206,942.06

Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016

Printed CONSTRUCTION/REAL 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers CHAMPION BREW. PLC. GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES Activity Summary on Board EQTYPLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Beverages--Non-Alcoholic JULIUS BERGER NIG. PLC. 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Infrastructure/Heavy Construction Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals Real Estate Development UACN PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT CO. LIMITED Real Estate Development Totals Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) UPDC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Totals

26

Symbol Daily Summary CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB Symbol Symbol JBERGER 7UP Symbol UAC-PROP

Symbol UPDCREIT

No. of Deals (Equities) 12 85 4 160 261 No. of Deals No. of Deals 6 18 6 18 No. of Deals 19 19 No. of Deals 1 1

CONSTRUCTION/REAL ESTATE Totals CONSUMER GOODS Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 CHAMPION BREW. PLC. Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 GUINNESS NIG PLC INTERNATIONAL BREWERIES PLC. NIGERIAN BREW. PLC. Beverages--Brewers/Distillers Totals Beverages--Non-Alcoholic 7-UP BOTTLING COMP. PLC. Beverages--Non-Alcoholic Totals CONSUMER GOODS Food Products DANGOTE SUGAR REFINERY PLC FLOUR MILLS NIG.Exchange PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock © HONEYWELL FLOUR MILL PLC NASCON ALLIED INDUSTRIES PLC N NIG. FLOUR MILLS PLC. TIGER BRANDED CONSUMER GOODS PLC Food Products Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Food Products--Diversified CADBURY NIGERIA PLC. NESTLE NIGERIA PLC. Food Products--Diversified Totals Household Durables Daily Summary as ofNIG 25/01/2016 VITAFOAM PLC. Printed 25/01/2016 VONO14:33:00.000 PRODUCTS PLC.

CONSUMER GOODS Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Banking ACCESS BANK PLC. DIAMOND BANK Published by The Nigerian StockPLC Exchange © ECOBANK TRANSNATIONAL INCORPORATED FIDELITY BANK PLC GUARANTY TRUST BANK PLC. Daily Summary as ofBANK 25/01/2016 SKYE PLC Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 STERLING BANK PLC. UNITED BANK FOR AFRICA PLC UNION BANK NIG.PLC. UNITY BANK PLC WEMA BANK PLC. Banking Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services AIICOSERVICES INSURANCE PLC. FINANCIAL Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services CONTINENTAL REINSURANCE PLC EQUITY ASSURANCE PLC. CONSOLIDATED HALLMARK INSURANCE PLC LASACO ASSURANCE PLC. LAW UNION AND ROCK INS. PLC. LINKAGE ASSURANCE PLC AXAMANSARD INSURANCE PLC MUTUAL BENEFITS ASSURANCE PLC. N.E.M INSURANCE CO (NIG) PLC. INSURANCE CO. PLC.© Published byNIGER The Nigerian Stock Exchange STANDARD ALLIANCE INSURANCE PLC. WAPIC INSURANCE PLC Insurance Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals

Micro-Finance Banks Daily Summary as MICROFINANCE of 25/01/2016 NPF BANK PLC Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 Micro-Finance Banks Totals Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services RESORT SAVINGS & LOANS PLC Mortgage Carriers, Brokers and Services Totals Other Financial Institutions ActivityAFRICA Summary on BoardREGISTRARS EQTY PRUDENTIAL PLC CUSTODIAN AND ALLIED PLC FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Other Financial Institutions Totals

Symbol CHAMPION GUINNESS INTBREW NB

Current Price Current 42.00 Price 190.00 Current Price 5.08

Current Price 10.00

Quantity Traded 641,778 753,857 22,288 4,738,171 6,156,094 Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 51,225 30,094 51,225 30,094 Quantity Traded 178,039 178,039 Page

Value Traded

Value Traded 1,970,258.46 84,484,247.96 339,108.00 488,628,322.38 575,421,936.80 Value Traded Value Traded 2,258,975.10 5,700,400.88 2,258,975.10 5,700,400.88 Value Traded 937,966.96 937,966.96 11 2 of

Quantity Traded 1,000 1,000

Value Traded 10,000.00 10,000.00

230,264

3,206,942.06

No. of Deals 12 85 4 160 (Equities) 261

Current Price 3.07 112.28 15.90 102.80

Quantity Traded 641,778 753,857 22,288 4,738,171 6,156,094

Value Traded 1,970,258.46 84,484,247.96 339,108.00 488,628,322.38 575,421,936.80

Symbol 7UP

No. of Deals 18 18

Current Price 190.00

Quantity Traded 30,094 30,094

Value Traded 5,700,400.88 5,700,400.88

Symbol DANGSUGAR FLOURMILL HONYFLOUR NASCON NNFM TIGERBRANDS

No. of Deals 42 49 10 24 2 39 166

Current Price 5.52 17.95 1.55 6.38 7.73 1.19

Quantity Traded 862,316 502,709 Page 100,700 144,350 98,339 1,480,602 3,189,016

11 2 8,882,789.58 of 156,085.00 962,311.26 760,160.47 1,756,678.92 17,281,802.54

Symbol CADBURY NESTLE

No. of Deals 10 42 52

Current Price 14.58 725.01

Quantity Traded 86,291 61,350 147,641

Value Traded 1,258,040.78 45,054,393.10 46,312,433.88

Symbol VITAFOAM VONO

No. of Deals 36 1 37

Current Price 4.70 0.92

Quantity Traded 849,975 1,000 850,975

Value Traded 3,983,105.60 880.00 3,983,985.60

Symbol

No. of Deals 38 2 40

Current Price 20.25 41.09

Quantity Traded 139,752 8,520 148,272

Value Traded 2,863,336.65 332,620.80 3,195,957.45

10,522,092

651,896,517.15

Daily Summary

Daily PZ Summary (Equities) UNILEVER

574 Symbol No. of Deals ACCESS 133 DIAMONDBNK 73 ETI 25 FIDELITYBK 66 GUARANTY 472 SKYEBANK 102 STERLNBANK 14 UBA 266 UBN 33 UNITYBNK 36 Daily Summary (Equities) WEMABANK 3 1,223 Symbol AIICO

No. of Deals 13

Current Price 4.19 1.72 14.76 1.27 16.29 1.18 1.65 3.00 5.70 0.76 1.00

Current Price 0.82

Quantity Traded 5,528,540 5,010,612 Page 41,856 4,302,026 22,832,926 2,493,544 375,367 28,176,728 99,779 5,535,174 47,000 74,443,552 Quantity Traded 828,073

Value Traded 4,763,777.31

Value Traded 23,830,660.65 11 3 8,600,864.64 of 638,722.57 5,536,602.24 366,768,777.52 2,929,390.84 613,706.55 85,700,209.70 576,736.99 4,206,732.24 46,480.00 499,448,883.94 Value Traded 676,562.89

Symbol CONTINSURE EQUITYASUR HMARKINS LASACO LAWUNION LINKASSURE MANSARD MBENEFIT NEM NIGERINS STDINSURE WAPIC

No. of Deals 7 6 1 4 1 2 9 7 8 4 1 3 66

Current Price 0.96 0.50 0.50 0.50 0.67 0.50 2.38 0.50 0.68 0.50 0.50 0.50

Quantity Traded 604,300 1,003,100 3,000 900,000 100 3,100 64,226 1,110,203 372,000 709,030Page 15,000 1,384 5,613,516

Value Traded 584,174.00 501,550.00 1,500.00 450,000.00 68.00 1,550.00 147,821.18 555,101.50 255,222.00 11 4 354,515.00 of 7,500.00 692.00 3,536,256.57

Symbol NPFMCRFBK

No. of Deals 19 19

Current Price 1.00

Quantity Traded 329,541 329,541

Value Traded 318,111.95 318,111.95

Symbol RESORTSAL

Current Price 0.50

Daily Summary

No. of Deals 1 1 (Equities)

Quantity Traded 100 100

Value Traded 50.00 50.00

Symbol AFRIPRUD CUSTODYINS

No. of Deals 41 21

Current Price 2.52 4.20

Quantity Traded 1,224,143 1,398,600

Value Traded 3,068,776.58 5,833,231.54

Symbol FCMB STANBIC UCAP

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Pharmaceuticals Totals

Current Price 3.07 112.28 15.90 102.80

26

Household Durables Totals Personal/Household Products P Z CUSSONS NIGERIA PLC. UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC. Personal/Household Products Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Sector

Symbol FCMB STANBIC UCAP

No Of Deals

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 180 1.06 15,651,266 35 13.30 6,323,267 35 1.25 931,092 Quotation(N) Quantity Traded 312 25,528,368

FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals

Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016

CONGLOMERATES Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 Diversified Industries A.G. LEVENTIS NIGERIA PLC. JOHN HOLT PLC. TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATION OF NIGERIA PLC U A C N PLC. Diversified Industries Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY

FINANCIAL SERVICES Other Financial Institutions FCMB GROUP PLC. STANBIC IBTC HOLDINGS PLC UNITED CAPITAL PLC Company name Other Financial Institutions Totals

No. of Deals 180 35 35 312

Current Price 1.06 13.30 1.25

1,621

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 1 6 14 4 1 26

Quantity Traded Page 15,651,266 6,323,267 931,092 25,528,368 105,915,077

Current Price 0.50 2.85 28.00 1.00 0.86

Quantity Traded 1,800 17,139 13,176 64,300 1,100 97,515

Value Traded 5 of 11 16,683,203.38 84,109,618.79 1,179,674.64 110,874,504.93 614,177,807.39

Value Traded 900.00 48,052.53 359,039.39 64,303.00 902.00 473,196.92

HEALTHCARE Pharmaceuticals EVANS MEDICAL PLC. FIDSON HEALTHCARE PLC GLAXO SMITHKLINE CONSUMER NIG. PLC. MAY & BAKER NIGERIA PLC. NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Pharmaceuticals Totals Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000

1,621

Symbol EVANSMED FIDSON GLAXOSMITH MAYBAKER NEIMETH

No. of Deals 1 6 14 4 1 26

HEALTHCARE Totals ICT Computer Based Systems COURTEVILLE BUSINESS SOLUTIONS PLC Computer Based Systems Totals

Electronic and Electrical Products CUTIX PLC. Electronic and Electrical Products Totals Packaging/Containers BETA GLASS CO PLC. Packaging/Containers Totals Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Printed INDUSTRIAL 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 GOODS Totals OIL AND GAS Integrated Oil and Gas Services OANDO PLC Integrated Oil and Gas Services Totals

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors

CONOIL OIL AND GAS PLC Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors ETERNA PLC. Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © Daily Summary as ofOIL 25/01/2016 FORTE PLC. Printed 25/01/2016 MOBIL14:33:00.000 OIL NIG PLC. TOTAL NIGERIA PLC. Petroleum and Petroleum Products Distributors Totals Exploration and Production SEPLAT PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LTD

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities)

614,177,807.39

Quantity Traded 1,800 17,139 13,176 64,300 1,100 97,515

Value Traded 900.00 48,052.53 359,039.39 64,303.00 902.00 473,196.92

97,515

473,196.92

Quantity Traded 9,000 9,000

Value Traded 4,500.00 4,500.00

COURTVILLE

1 1

Symbol ASHAKACEM BERGER CAP CCNN PORTPAINT WAPCO

No. of Deals 9 15 9 10 7 53 103

0.50

Current Price 24.00 9.01 37.00 9.60 4.00 81.00

Quantity Traded 67,100 Page 364,179 10,708 99,850 160,389 446,923 1,149,149

Value Traded 1,615,023.00 6 3,291,614.05 of 11 383,495.24 884,205.00 609,456.00 36,627,506.15 43,411,299.44

Symbol CUTIX

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 1.44

Quantity Traded 21,625 21,625

Value Traded 30,675.00 30,675.00

Symbol BETAGLAS

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 53.45

Quantity Traded 4,850 4,850

Value Traded 235,881.00 235,881.00

1,175,624

43,677,855.44

1

9,000

109

4,500.00

Symbol

No. of Deals 153 153

Current Price 3.87

Quantity Traded 6,609,904 6,609,904

Value Traded 24,614,543.98 24,614,543.98

Symbol CONOIL

No. of Deals 2

Current Price 24.74

Quantity Traded 250

Value Traded 5,877.50

Symbol ETERNA FO MOBIL TOTAL

No. of Deals 10 21 14 6 53

Current Price 1.76 313.50 138.00 150.00

Quantity Traded 205,080 Page 40,014 5,155 2,624 253,123

11 7 361,597.00 of 11,917,369.62 709,460.75 373,963.12 13,368,267.99

Quantity Traded 77,392 77,392

Value Traded 12,731,467.24 12,731,467.24

Daily Summary (Equities) OANDO

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price SEPLAT

14 14

Exploration and on Production Totals Activity Summary Board EQTY OIL AND GAS Totals SERVICES Courier/Freight/Delivery SERVICES RED STAR EXPRESS PLC Courier/Freight/Delivery TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

105,915,077

26

Activity Summary on Board EQTY

ICT Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Building Materials ASHAKA CEM PLC BERGER PAINTS Published by The Nigerian Stock PLC Exchange © CAP PLC CEMENT CO. OF NORTH.NIG. PLC PORTLAND PAINTS & PRODUCTS NIGERIA PLC LAFARGE AFRICA PLC. Building Materials Totals

Current Price 0.50 2.85 28.00 1.00 0.86

Value Traded 16,683,203.38 84,109,618.79 1,179,674.64 Value of Shares(N) 110,874,504.93

164.54

6,940,419

50,714,279.21

Symbol REDSTAREX Symbol TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals 1 No. of Deals 2 3

Current Price 4.00 Current Price 1.10

Quantity Traded 14,900 Quantity Traded 13,055 27,955

Value Traded 59,898.00 Value Traded 15,013.25 74,911.25

Symbol CILEASING

No. of Deals 7 7

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 1,008,950 1,008,950

Value Traded 504,475.00 504,475.00

Symbol TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 5.51

Quantity Traded 1,100 1,100

Value Traded 6,358.00 6,358.00

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 41,600 41,600 Page

8

Symbol Symbol ACADEMY REDSTAREX LEARNAFRCA TRANSEXPR

No. of Deals No. of Deals 2 1 4 2 6 3

Current Price Current Price 0.55 4.00 0.76 1.10

Quantity Traded Quantity Traded 28,150 14,900 62,180 13,055 90,330 27,955

Value Traded Value Traded 16,045.50 59,898.00 47,729.60 15,013.25 63,775.10 74,911.25

Transport-Related Services Employment SolutionsAND LOGISTICS PLC AIRLINE SERVICES C & I LEASING PLC. HANDLING COMPANY PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION Employment Solutions Totals Transport-Related Services Totals

Symbol Symbol AIRSERVICE CILEASING NAHCO

No. of Deals No. of Deals 3 7 38 7 41

Current Price Current Price 2.09 0.50 3.90

Quantity Traded Quantity190,000 Traded 1,008,950 474,914 1,008,950 664,914

Value Traded Value Traded 397,120.00 504,475.00 1,835,080.49 504,475.00 2,232,200.49

Hotels/Lodging

Symbol TRANSCOHOT

No. of Deals 2 2

Current Price 5.51

Quantity Traded Page 1,100

Value Traded 9 of 11 6,358.00 6,358.00

No. of Deals 3 3

Current Price 0.50

Quantity Traded 41,600 41,600

Value Traded 20,800.00 20,800.00

No. of Deals 2 4 6

Current Price 0.55 0.76

Quantity Traded 28,150 62,180 90,330

Value Traded 16,045.50 47,729.60 63,775.10

Employment Solutions C & I LEASING PLC. Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Employment Solutions Totals Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 Hotels/Lodging TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC Hotels/Lodging Totals Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC

Activity Summary on Board EQTY Media/Entertainment Totals

220

Value Traded

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol DAARCOMM

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

SERVICES Printing/Publishing Courier/Freight/Delivery ACADEMY PRESS PLC. RED STAR EXPRESS LEARN AFRICA PLC PLC TRANS-NATIONWIDE EXPRESS PLC. Printing/Publishing Totals Courier/Freight/Delivery Totals

TRANSCORP HOTELS PLC © Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Hotels/Lodging Totals Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 Media/Entertainment DAAR COMMUNICATIONS PLC Media/Entertainment Totals Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Printing/Publishing Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 ACADEMY PRESS PLC. ActivityLEARN Summary on PLC Board EQTY AFRICA Printing/Publishing Totals SERVICES Support and Logistics Transport-Related Services CAVERTON OFFSHORE GRP PLC AIRLINE SERVICES ANDSUPPORT LOGISTICS PLC Support and Logistics Totals Activity Summary on Board EQTY COMPANY PLC NIGERIAN AVIATION HANDLING Transport-Related Services Totals SERVICES SERVICESTotals Support and Logistics Published

by The Nigerian Stock Exchange © CAVERTON OFFSHORE SUPPORT GRP PLC EQTY Board Totals Support and Logistics Totals

Symbol DAARCOMM

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol ACADEMY LEARNAFRCA

1,100

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. Symbol No.of ofDeals Deals Current CurrentPrice Price Quantity QuantityTraded Traded CAVERTON AIRSERVICE NAHCO Symbol CAVERTON

133 13 38 41 75

2.24 2.09 3.90

No. of Deals 13 2,980 13

Current Price 2.24

513,050 190,000 513,050 474,914

664,914 2,347,899 Quantity Traded Page 513,050

153,259,848

513,050

Daily Summary (Equities)

SERVICES Totals

75

Value Traded 20,800.00 20,800.00 of 11

Value ValueTraded Traded 1,092,796.50 397,120.00 1,092,796.50 1,835,080.49 2,232,200.49 3,995,316.34 Value Traded 9 1,092,796.50 of 11

1,450,004,051.51

1,092,796.50

2,347,899

3,995,316.34

153,259,848

1,450,004,051.51

Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM EQTY Board Totals

FINANCIAL SERVICES Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Banking 14:33:00.000 Printed 25/01/2016 ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Banking Totals on Board PREMIUM Activity Summary Daily Summary as of 25/01/2016 Printed 25/01/2016 14:33:00.000 Other Financial Institutions FINANCIAL SERVICES

FBN HOLDINGS PLC Banking Other Financial Institutions Totals ZENITH INTERNATIONAL BANK PLC Activity Summary on Board PREMIUM Banking Totals FINANCIAL SERVICES Totals INDUSTRIAL GOODS Other Financial Institutions Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS FBN HOLDINGS PLC Activity Summary onTotals Board PREMIUM Building Materials Building Materials Other Financial Institutions Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC INDUSTRIAL GOODS INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals FINANCIAL BuildingSERVICES Materials Totals

Materials Published byBuilding The Nigerian StockTotals Exchange © INDUSTRIAL GOODS PREMIUM Board Totals Building Materials INDUSTRIAL GOODS Totals Equity Activity Totals DANGOTE CEMENT PLC

2,980

Daily Summary (Equities) Symbol No. of Deals Current Price ZENITHBANK

431 431

Symbol No. of Deals Current Price Daily Summary (Equities) FBNH Symbol ZENITHBANK

Daily Summary

364 No. of Deals 364 431 431 (Equities) 795

Symbol Symbol FBNH Symbol DANGCEM Symbol Symbol DANGCEM

Equity Activity Totals

Daily Summary (ETP)

ETP Activity Totals ETF Board Totals

Symbol

LOTUSHAL15 Daily Summary (ETP) NEWGOLD VETBANK Symbol VETGOODS LOTUSHAL15 VETGRIF30 NEWGOLD VETINDETF VETBANK VETGOODS VETGRIF30 VETINDETF

873

No. of Deals 78 3,853 78

Exchange Traded Fund

Name LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) Exchange Traded Fund VETIVA BANKING ETF Name VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF LOTUS HALAL EQUITY ETF VETIVA GRIFFIN 30 ETF NEWGOLD EXCHANGE TRADED FUND (ETF) VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF VETIVA BANKING ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals VETIVA CONSUMER GOODS ETF GRIFFIN 30 ETF ETFVETIVA Board Totals VETIVA INDUSTRIAL ETF Exchange Traded Fund Totals

4.27 Current Price 12.18

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

Quantity Traded 18,623,590 Quantity Traded 18,623,590 42,891,448 42,891,448 61,515,038

Current Price 130.01

61,924,119

Quantity409,081 Traded 215,183,967 409,081

Value Traded 79,998,918.59 Value Traded 79,998,918.59 521,758,657.43 521,758,657.43 601,757,576.02 Value Traded Value Traded 79,998,918.59 53,118,925.48 Value Traded 79,998,918.59 53,118,925.48 53,118,925.48 601,757,576.02 Value Traded 11 1053,118,925.48 of

654,876,501.50

Value Traded 53,118,925.48

2,104,880,553.01 53,118,925.48

873

61,924,119

654,876,501.50

3,853

215,183,967

2,104,880,553.01

Page

No. of Deals 3 1 1 No. of Deals 1 3 1 1 1 1 8 1 81 1 8

8

8

Current Price 8.15 2,106.00 2.33 Current Price 6.17 8.15 10.94 2,106.00 17.56 2.33 6.17 10.94 17.56

Quantity Traded 25 5 12 Quantity Traded 50 25 10 5 50 12 152 50 10 152 50 152

152

8

10

11

12,055.01

12,055.01 11

152 Page

of

Value Traded 201.15 10,530.00 27.96 Value Traded 308.50 201.15 109.40 10,530.00 878.00 27.96 12,055.01 308.50 109.40 12,055.01 878.00 12,055.01

152 Page

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

ETP Activity Totals

Value Traded 521,758,657.43 521,758,657.43

No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded No. of Deals Current Price Quantity Traded 364 4.27 18,623,590 78 Current Price Quantity Traded 409,081 No. of Deals 364 18,623,590 78 130.01 409,081 78 409,081 795 Current Price Quantity 61,515,038 No. of Deals Traded Page 78 409,081

PREMIUM Board Totals

Published by The Nigerian Stock Exchange ©

12.18

Quantity Traded 42,891,448 42,891,448

of

11

12,055.01 11

of

11

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

35

Nigeria will work —Owan-Enoh tory projects. Do you see the governor fully executing these projects?

The governor came from the very first day when he was sworn in, and in his acceptance speech he talked about the signature projects. Again I believe that we should give it a chance to succeed. I believe whether you are from Cross River or not from Cross River as long as you are working and doing business here, we should all give it a chance because the working and success of those projects would have a tremendous effect on our state. We started our democratic journey in 1999 with our state hugely dubbed as a civil service state. Gradually, we are moving forward, we may not be there yet but we have a governor who is also very business inclined. So if he is travelling and bringing in investors why should that be a problem? The only thing is that we should all commit him to prayers and hope that all the engagements he has with investors works, succeeds so the state can benefit. It is also too early to engage in this cynicism or whatever, the governor is someone that would say something, put his mind there and get determine to make sure it succeeds. Let us support him and make sure he succeeds in those projects he talked about-whether it is the road, whether it is the seaport.

In recent times, the PDP is said to have suffered loss of its very heavy weight politicians that defected to the ruling APC in Cross River State where you come from, don’t you thinks that the defection is a huge minus to your party and the defection is going to cripple your party come 2019?

So far, in my reading and monitoring of all the defections that has occurred, I found out that almost everyone who have defected didn’t support the PDP in the last election. I can’t speak about what would happen tomorrow but almost everyone who has defected didn’t support the PDP in the last

I admit and I appreciate that in the last election

PDP itself became an internal opposition.

So those that have defected to APC have the

only formalised the fact that they are now in another party. election. I admit and I appreciate that in the last election the PDP itself became an internal opposition. So those that have defected to APC have only formalized the fact that they are now in another party. In the 2015 elections, they were not in PDP; they did not work for PDP. As a politician I would have wished that if for any reason they found themselves outside the PDP during the elections, after the elections they would have come back. We should also understand our politics; it is also easy to understand why they didn’t come back. If the PDP won in Cross River and also won at the National level , they would not go away. So you can understand why they are doing it. They won’t come back because the APC had won at the centre. We don’t know what is going to play out tomorrow but the challenge for the PDP in the state is to hold its own and consolidate and do well.

Owan-Enoh

Don challenges electorate to hold politicians accountable James Abraham JOS

A

university don, Prof.Dakas Clement Dakas has stressed the need for the electorate to hold politicians accountable to enable them enjoy dividends of democracy in the country.

Dakas who is the Dean, Faculty of Law University of Jos gave the challenge yesterday while delivering a lecture at a seminár organized by the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN Church headquarter in Jos with the topic “You and your representative-expectations of governance”.

The seminár according to the church was meant to create political awareness for its members as part of the church’s contribution to good governance in Nigeria.

The University don advocated for the use of legitimate and political means such as “impeachment and recall of lawmakers” to displace political leaders who has failed in their responsibilities off their office.

He equally said the in-

security challenges facing Nigeria was due to failure on the part of leaders who refuse to place priority in welfare of the electorates.

The guest lecturer also said most Nigerians in position of political authorities have use the “immunity” provided by the Nigerian constitution for people in governance to perpetrate “impunity.”

He expressed worries that most of those who have used the church to gain political offices never came back to ask if they were truly representing the people rightly.

Dakas challenged clergies who political leaders usually go to for blessings while seeking elections to hold such politicians accountable for not living up to the expectations of the masses.

Also speaking at the event, a two - time National President of the Church of Christ in Nations, COCIN , Rev. (Prof) Pandang Yamsat, warned Nigerians, particularly Christians who are not in support of the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari, in re-

covering stolen monies from past political office holders in Nigeria, to desist or face the wrath of God. According to the clergy, most Nigerian leaders, particularly those of the Christian faith who rule the country during the return of democratic governance in the country have failed Nigerians.

Yamsat lamented that

most Nigeria leaders particularly among Christians use the pulpit to carry out their evil deeds in offices.

“Christian politicians have severally used the scriptures negatively to perpetrate evil in offices.”

On his part, one of the discussants at the seminar, who is the Director, Peace and Conflict Resolution, University of Jos, Prof.

Audu Gambo, a political scientist demanded that the church should not allow non-performing politicians take front roles in the church; blaming clergies for hiding the truth to fail politicians who use religion as a platform to gain political offices.

Gambo equally requested that non -performing politicians should be

shown the way out through legitimate channels, such as “impeachment” and “recall” processes for legislatures.

The political scientist urged electorate, to rather than seek for personal needs from political office holders should demand for collective needs for the community and society in general.

Osun group to storm NA over financial crisis Ebere Ndukwu

A

n Osun State group under the umbrella of Civil Societies Coalition for Emancipation of Osun, CSCEO, will stage a peaceful rally at the National Assembly, Abuja today over an alleged maladministration and mis-governance of the state public funds by the government of Mr. Rauf Aregbesola.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Sulaiman CSCEO said that the rally became necessary due to the current financial mess the state has

been facing over the “minusallocation” of funds being received by Aregbesola’s government from the Federation Account.

According to him, the pathetic situation was as a result of over N2.5 billion being deducted from state allocation to service about N478billion loans received by the All Progressives Congress, APC- led administration in the state.

He explained that over 5,000 indigenes, who are members of the coalescing group from all the 30 local government areas of the state will participate in the rally.

CSCEO members according to Sulaiman, include, The Voices, KIMPACT, Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice, Grassroots Democratic Network, Christian Initiative for Nation Building, Christian Leadership Mobilization and Better Future Initiative.

Others he said are, Centre for Social Justice and Equity of Nigeria, CESJEN, Development and Peace Movement, DPM, Positive Movement, PM, Good Governance Support Group, Coalition of Osun Youth Group, CSYG, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties, CNPP and Christian Leadership Mobilisa-

tion Initiatives, CLMI. But in his reaction, the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy for the Osun State governor, Mr Semiu Okanlawon described the CSCEO as a faceless group of a few disgruntled individuals who have lost face before the people of Osun.

He said; “All they are targeting is to set the people against the government through fabrication and manipulations.

Simple knowledge of finance and banking would tell you that the debt profile they keep bandying shows they are illinformed.”

Mail Mirror

36

Politics

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari, Mahama, Quattara, Sawyer others shun political summit Obiora Ifoh ABUJA

T

he 2016 Annual National Political Summit was largely boycotted by galaxy of African leaders expected at the occasion even as the Nigerian government insists that there is no going back in the fight against corruption.

Most of the lead actors including President Muhammadu Buhari, President John Dramani Mahama of Ghana, President Alassane Quattara of Cote Di’Ivoire and Professor Amos Sawyer, former President, Interim Government of National Unity of Liberia who were billed to lead the discussion at the summit were all ab-

sent.

However, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who represented President Buhari flagged off the summit with a vow that the government will not look back at its determination to fight corruption.

He said, that the war though, difficult but will be won in no distance time.

The senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki also said that the present National Assembly will continue to work hand-in-gloves with the executive arm to rout corruption and entrench accountability across all spheres of the public sector.

Saraki said that the days of business as usual were over, adding that “discre-

tionary spending of government resources, unbudgeted expenditures, procurement abuses and diversion of public monies for personal gains must be eradicated.

“Our people have called us to stamp out corruption, improve governance, accountability, transparency, service delivery and human right protection, and the National Assembly is ready to roll out an array of reforms on, accountability, revenue management, budget processing, policing and public service performance monitor that would see our resources better used, engender better public

participation in governance, oversight and virile public service that is service oriented.”

He said the change demanded by Nigerians during the 2015 general elections has its own consequences.

According to him, the victory of the All Progressives Congress, APC came at a time five major development challenges were confronting the nation from every side.

“From our depleting revenues and dwindling economic outlook as a result of falling oil prices to the massive infrastructure deficit, insecurity, unemployment, corruption and terrorism

all congregating forcefully to dent our resolve to build a nation of our dreams,” Saraki said.

He however, said these challenges might be the necessary catalyst and opportunity to think outside the box and shape a new Nigeria nation built on a more solid economic and political base.

“We must then use our new found opportunity to attack the basic structural weaknesses and problems in our economy through measures to increase productivity, savings and investments.

“There is enough data to show that Nigeria can live

in prosperity after oil; our agriculture potentials, solid mineral deposits, innovation industry and entertainment industry all show how diversification is already deepening the foundations of our economy,” he said.

Saraki stated that the National Assembly was aware of the challenges, hence upon assumption of both chambers separately developed and adopted a vision, an agenda on matters of priority to ensure that necessary legal superstructure on which the executive can deliver to the Nigerian people the desired change were laid.

KOWA dissociate self from conspiracy to rig Rivers rerun Ebere Ndukwu

K

OWA Party has dissociated itself from any conspiracy to rig the coming Rivers State re-run election, calling on the public to disregard any publication associating it with plans to rig the said election.

The party in a statement by its acting National Secretary, Comrade Mark Adebayo, titled: Recriminal conspiracy to rig the Rivers State re-run elections, said: “The attention of the National Executive Committee, NEC, of KOWA Party has been drawn to an advertorial captioned ‘Criminal conspiracy to rig the Rivers State re-run elections’ published on page 40 of THISDAY newspaper of January 20, 2016 by the Rivers State chapter of the InterParty Advisory Council, IPAC, in which our party was listed as a signatory to the said advertorial.

“The party’s leadership unequivocally dissociates KOWA Party from the spirit and letter of the said publication. Mr. T.C. Wokoma, who signed for the party acted on his own and had neither rights nor authority to do so, as he has ceased to be the Rivers State acting chairman of the party since 2015 after the appointment of Mr Abednego Benjamin as the acting chairman of the party.”

He urged members and supporters of the party

across the country to disregard the intents and purposes of the advertorial “as KOWA Party at both the national and Rivers State levels have absolutely nothing to do with the said publication. Mr Wokoma is currently being queried and appropriate disciplinary measures would be applied to him by the party’s leadership in due course,” he said.

Comrade Adebayo maintained that KOWA Party remains a decent and disciplined political organisation with the ultimate aim of giving Nigerians the best creed of leadership that would ensure the greater happiness of the greater majority, saying that the party is not in the business of political jobbing and rumour mongering.

Governor of Bauchi State, Muhammed Abubakar (right), presenting a generator to a beneficiary, Alhaji Ya’u Imam, during inauguration of Azare/Madangala Counstituency Community Development’s Empowerment Scheme at Azare in Bauchi State on Sunday.

Govt charged on economy diversification Robert Awokuse

I

n a bid to salvage the present economy situation in the country following crash in oil prices, stakeholders have continued to lend their voices on the need to diversify the economy as it is the only way to get out of the strait condition.

This submission was made at a public lecture titled: “Nigeria Beyond Oil, the Need for Agricultural and Infrastructural Revolution” held by House of Grace, HOG.

The event also saw the launch of HOG monthly diet for February edition.

Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman, HOG, Chief Alex Akinyele said Nigeria is gradually losing its economy viability following the crash of oil prices hence charged government at all levels to consider other resources and harness them judiciously to save the country from further plunge.

In his keynote address, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo noted that before the coming of oil when the country had as its main revenue,

cocoa and groundnut, Nigeria was more robust as naira was almost equivalent to pounds.

“Nigeria was much beautiful without oil in those days when it lived on cocoa and groundnut. In those days we used to have constant power supply, free education and gainful employments among other benefits.

“Nigeria at present has 34 minerals that, if well harnessed, will grow the country better than oil,” he stated.

According to Ighoda-

lo the country could be made better if it has good visionary leaders, zerotolerance for corruption and through extensive agricultural practice.

In his remark, Chairman, Leadership Group of Newspapers, Dr Sam Nda-Isaiah averred that the richest countries in the world are not oilproducing states, adding that Nigeria can only be rich if it diversified its economy.

“The oil-producing countries of the world are not the richest nations of the world or put-

ting it the other way –the richest countries of the world are not the oil-producing countries. The richest nations are the countries that empower their people; those that take advantage of what nature has endowed them; countries that open themselves to the world; they are countries that have no tolerance for corruption.

The richest countries of the world are those that seize their comparative advantages among the comity of nations”, he said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Politics

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

37

Ekiti APC, Gov disagree on arms, thugs Abiodun Nejo ADO EKITI

A

ll Progressives Congress, APC in Ekiti State and the state governor have disagreed on the allegation of stockpiling of arms and recruitment of thugs for yet to be ascertained purpose.

While the APC accused the governor of recruiting 160 thugs across the 16 council areas of the state to assemble for training at a facility in Ifaki Ekiti in addition to earlier stockpiling of arms in the Government House, the governor dismissed the allegations as “another lies from the APC.” APC State Publicity Secre-

tary, Taiwo Olatunbosun, in a statement in Ado Ekiti yesterday, said: “We had earlier alerted the security agencies that the governor stockpiled arms in the Government House with hundreds of criminals already trained in arms handling. The arms and ammunition are still there.

“We are telling the security agencies again with all sense of responsibility that the governor is currently recruiting 10 thugs from each of the 16 local governments to assemble at a training facility in Ifaki-Ekiti. Who he wants to attack with armed thugs, we don’t know, but we know he has already made Hilux vans available to them for initial operations.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 While the heat of the arms deal fund looks like it is harder on Ladoja as many of his party members have continually denounced his action, Falae, to a great extent is also having a great share of the heat.

Though not much is coming from SDP in terms of denouncing the action of their party leader except the Ogun State chapter of the party which said it was not part of the deal.

The Ogun SDP, in a statement signed by its chairman, Olu Agemo, and secretary, Clement Adeniyi, said it was not party to the deal with the PDP or the distri¬bution of the funds.

The chapter said it was never notified of, nor involved in any negotiation to partner the PDP or any other party for the purpose of winning the 2015 March elections or maintaining peace during the period as claimed by Falae.

The statement noted that the chapter was never informed by the national secretariat of the decision to adopt Jonathan or any other candidate as the party’s presidential candidate, adding that it was never informed of any donation of funds to the party by the PDP or any other party and that it did not receive any financial or campaign assistance from the national secretariat of the party or any of its prin¬cipal officers.

“We plead with our members and supporters who have received this untoward revelation with great shock to re¬main calm and await the convocation of a general meeting where these issues shall be thoroughly discussed and ap¬propriate decisions taken.

“We assure you that the SDP in Ogun will continue to operate within ethical and moral norms as laid out in the principles of progressive welfarism established by our pro¬genitor, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in the struggle to establish an egalitarian, peaceful and equitable nation,” the statement said.

The alleged booing of Falae , a onetime

L-R: Deputy National Chairman South, All Progressives Congress, Chief Segun Oni, National Chairman APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and National Secretary APC, Alh Mai Mala Buni during a press conference on the state of the Nation in Abuja, yesterday.

PHOTO: ROTIMI OSASONA

“Nigerians and security agencies should note that as our son whom we know very well, the governor cannot survive in a society where the law works. He knows he can’t survive his criminal past, including his election fraud, with a decent Presi-

dent like General Muhammadu Buhari. That is why he will never wish the President and Nigerians well in their hope of getting an accountable leader to put smiles on their faces,” the APC stated.

Olatunbosun alleged that the governor was “fit into the

last administration scheme that thrived on lawlessness”.

But the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Idowu Adelusi, who derided what he called “blatant lies of the APC,” challenged APC “if they have any evidence, to show it to the public rather

than feeding the people of the state with lies.”

Adelusi, while distancing the governor from the allegations, said: “We don’t have money for stockpiling of arms and if we have such, we will use it to better the lots of the people.

Falae, Ladoja and the arms fund

presidential candidate, a respected Yoruba chieftain, during a church service at St. David’s Cathedral, Ijomu Street, Akure, Ondo Statse capital by his kinsmen, women and children, is in no small way a letdown.

It was alleged that Chief Falae while trying to explain to worshippers that he was not involved in the diversion of security funds traced to Dasuki, got booed by the congregation.

In his explanation to the church members, he told them that the N100 million that was given to him was not connected to the arms procurement fund but was money meant for logistics for voters’ mobilisation following the alliance his party forged with the then ruling PDP. The Yoruba elder statesman further explained that he had appeared in several publications to clear his name off the scandal, adding that he had also explained to the Bishop of Akure Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Simeon Borokini, who even went as far as showing papers detailing the transfer made to him by Chief Anenih.

For many critics, the acceptance of the N100 million can only be justified if it is morally and lawfully justified for one to collect money or gift item in whatever guise or name in order to support another person or party, and that those who collected the money should give account of the money to members of their parties who should also partake in the sharing.

On account of all these, many critics have suggested that in addition to the unlawfulness of receiving such funds, both SDP and Accord Party leaders knowingly participated in a deliberate bazaar of sleaze, very much in consonance with the culture and tradition of politics in this part of the World.

Looking at the effect this will have on the duo, a Lagos lawyer, Cajetan Osisioma said that while in other clans the naming and

shaming of the SDP and Accord Party leaders and embarrassing quibble over who they shared the money with, would have affected their political career and dignity, in Nigeria it may have little sobering or no effect at all.

According to him, it will certainly have no lasting impact on the polity and “there will be no future incentive to significantly alter political behaviour, particularly electoral financing, on a scale that will be helpful to the country.”

A critic stated that though the less popular and laid-back Chief Ladoja may shrug off the scandal and consider the embarrassment to his person as nothing more than a temporary and insignificant setback, it will be hard to see Chief Falae recovering from the naming and shaming he has been subjected to.

An analyst who doesn’t want his name in print said , “it appears Falae, who rose to the peak of Nigerian politics, and nearly rose to the peak of national politics is tumbling from that peak, a little suddenly in the last few years. It appears he is witnessing a great denudation of his popularity, suffering loss of most of his support base. And the present arms fund scandal seems to be threatening whatever is left of both his once sterling name and contribution to national affairs”.

Though Ladoja is a great grassroots politician but he cannot be compared with the mobilising profundity and fecundity of Adegoke Adelabu, a.k.a, Penkelemesi, Busari Adelakun, alias Eruobodo, and Lamidi Adedibu, the cantankerous exponent of amala politics and so the shame of collecting the N100m may not do much damage to his political future . .

Many political observers believe that Ladoja’s ability and political effectiveness were always overstated and exaggerated.

Even as he has managed to repeatedly transcend some of his shortcomings to unex-

pectedly triumph politically, many do not see anything surprising that he was named among the receivers, nor that, as the main financier of his party, he is alleged to have failed to disclose the payment to his party or those close to him in the party.

On the other hand, many had expected that where Ladoja fell woefully short, Falae should have stood tall and walk magnificently. Falae In 1999 at the highest peak of his political ascendancy captured the popular imagination of the Yoruba, and stood not only as the safest and surest rampart for constitutional democracy and freedom, but also exemplified the ethics, florid culture, and administrative acumen of both Awoism and the South West.

According to a critic, by entering into a political arrangement with Dr. Jonathan, Chief Falae strangely saw only the moment. By anchoring the noxious deal with the former president on financial inducement, he also sadly repudiated the noble ethics undergirding South West politics.

And by failing to publicise the deal or carry his party members along through a party convention, he gave his detractors reason to suspect that what drove him, and inspired the deal, was not really electoral expediency, but peer envy and political discord underscored by his resentment of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, and later APC politics and leadership.

Certainly, this should not be the legacy, ideas and moral contributions the two political leaders and chieftains will love to leave behind.

Only time has an answer on what they will do and how they will overcome this scandal, endear themselves to their people once again and move on. May be refunding the said money and making public apologies. Who knows?

38

Features

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Two years after, victims of Taraba crisis count losses

T

he Fulani/Farmers crisis and other communal conflicts in Taraba, North-East of Nigeria, though well reported by the local and national dailies did not receive the luxury of international media reportage because of the activities of the Boko Haram insurgency which overwhelmed Nigeria in the past few years.

Given the international connection of the sect, the atrocities they committed and the number of lives lost, little or no international media attention was given to other communal crisis in Taraba which is in the same North-East as well as Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau in the middle belt.

Since December 2013, armed Fulani men invaded Taraba through Nasarawa and Benue axis and killed over a thousand people in the state between December 2013 and June 2015. During the period, over 500,000 people were allegedly chased out of their homes and made to flee the state to take refuge in neighbouring Benue and Nasarawa states.

Recounting his bitter experience in the series of crisis in the state, a businessman, Mr. Emeka Chinweokwu, who is a major MTN and Globalcom partner in Taraba State popularly called Emy-V said he lost over N50.357 million in the attack in Wukari on February 23, 2014.

According to him, his one storey building located in the heart of the town was burnt down by the attackers with goods worth over N31 million made up of smartphones, computers, recharge card printing machines and other accessories destroyed.

“Because we had to flee just to save our lives,” he added “we couldn’t pick anything from the shop and my other outlets located in other parts of the town. All my shops were burnt to the ground with goods worth over N50.357 million,” he sobbed as he managed to call the figures.

Like many other business owners, traders and even farmers another business owner, simply identified as Mr. Albert (a.k.a.

Presidoo), a Nigerian Brewery key distributor, also in Wukari told National Mirror that his consignment which arrived Wukari a day before crisis broke out in the town and others in store totalling N25.12 million were destroyed and part of it vandalised by the attackers.

Albert who now ekes a living selling recharge card and through a local restaurant around Takum junction in Wukari told our correspondent that he had to start from the scratch to take care of his wife and three kids.

“My family members have been putting pressure on me to relocate, but Taraba is like a home and I can’t just relocate. I am trusting God that I will make it here again and I want to appeal to both the state and the federal government to assist us,” he appealed.

The effect of the two-year-old crisis with pockets of killings still being witnessed in places like

More than two years after they were forced out of their homes and made refugees in their own country, victims of Taraba crisis are still undergoing serious hardship, writes JUSTIN TYOPUUSU.

Internally displaced persons

Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State

Gassol and Bali local government areas has left farms deserted and small communities like Dan-Anacha, Sabon-Gida, Ananum, Ibua and other towns are today not bubbling with human and economic activities on account of the crisis as it used to be the case.

Taraba governor, Darius Ishaku, has consistently asked the people of the state to give him peace, promising that he would give them development in return.

On account of this, most IDPs have returned to their homes but not without challenges. There are cries from many returnees that their crops which they managed to plant to keep life going had become grazing fields of the herders who sometimes kill them if they dared them not to eat invade their form or eat their crops.

Traditional ruler in Bali local government area of the state whose people were killed and forced out of the state, Zaki David Gbaa (The Ter-Bali), commenting on the condition of his people lamented that his subjects had just returned to their villages after attack on them by the Fulani herdsmen and that they were still being attacked.

“From November last year to date, we recorded over four separate attacks with more than 11 deaths. Our children are out of school and most of my people are without food and shelter. We have cases of malaria and other diseases which are killing our children.

“We commend the governor for his efforts to ensure that peace return, but there are people sabotaging his efforts because of the atrocities they committed which they want to keep under cover. Most of our lands have either been sold out or taken over by other people and are doing everything to ensure our people did not return.

“Such people are day-dreaming.

We are compiling such cases and we will soon take them to court.

We are indigenes of this place and nobody can intimidate us,” he said.

The hinterlands of Dan-Anacha, Sabon-Gida, Bornon Kurku, Naguru and other interior villages, according to reports, are still regarded as “no-go-areas” especially for Tiv farmers. Torkula Dooior, a resident of Dan-Anacha, lamenting the loss of his farm to grazers said the Fulani herdsmen had converted their farms into grazing fields.

“We are back to square one because the Fulani herdsmen have grazed over our crops and any attempt to resist them is tantamount to inviting death. Just recently, Mr. Emmanuel and his wife, Mbawuan were slaughtered after they resisted some armed Fulani men from grazing on their farms,” he said.

On their part, the Fulani herdsmen denied being behind the said

killings. According to the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Mafindi Umar Danburam, Tiv and Jukun have been rustling their cattle in the past years in Wukari and Takum.

He said over 17,000 cattle belonging to the Fulani herdsmen were rustled between 2003 and 2015 in Wukari and Takum axis of the state, querying that “how do you take someone’s livelihood and you expect the person to be quiet.”

“We have lost a lot, 500 cattle of my people were rustled in Jibu ward of Wukari around March last year; same period at Kashimbilla in Takum local government, about 200 cattle were rustled by people suspected to be Tiv. So, you see the problem. We are not criminals or trouble makers as we are being branded,” he said.

Stakeholders in the state have attributed the persistent killings in Taraba on the issue of land, but Mr. Freeman Tar disputed this narrative. Chairman, Muslim Council of Taraba State, Inuwa Jauro, who is a Fulani man said many people have mistaken the crisis in the southern and central Taraba to a religious crisis.

“What is happening in Southern Taraba is not a religious crisis, it is on land that they are fighting.

The origins of the area don’t want people coming from outside to come and settle on their land. Anybody who tells you it is a religious crisis is lying,” he explained.

But Mr. Tar Freeman who is a scholar argued that those killing people were from states like Kat-

I therefore appeal to General TY Danjuma (rtd), who is an illustrious son of Taraba and chairman of the federal government committee on the rehabilitation of the North-East

affected by Boko Haram, to include Taraba in the rehabilitation programme.

sina, Gombe, Kano and Zamfara among others and were bringing their people to take over land in Taraba. He insisted that there was a conspiracy of ethnic cleansing against the Tiv farmers in Taraba.

While the blame game continues, stakeholders want the federal government to come to the aid of the people who have been abandoned to their fate with no hope of rescue in sight.

The bellwether in this call is the Catholic Bishop of Jalingo Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Charles Hammawa, who said the killings in the state had adversely affected the economy of Taraba and Nigeria.

Hammawa want the federal government to intervene in the herdsmen/farmers crisis in the country and permanently bring the ugly development which has killed many to an end.

“Taraba was badly affected by crisis between 2013 and 2015. Many lives and property worth hundreds of millions of naira were lost and even now, killings are still going on in Bali and Gassol local government areas.

“Churches, mosques and other precious property were destroyed.

We, the Catholic Church alone, lost seven main parishes and over 3000 out stations were burnt during the crisis. The church has tried to reach out to the people affected by the crisis, by providing food and shelter and other things to alleviate their suffering.

“But you see, the Church and the state government cannot do it alone. I therefore appeal to General TY Danjuma (rtd), who is an illustrious son of Taraba and chairman of the federal government committee on the rehabilitation of the North-East affected by Boko Haram to include Taraba in the rehabilitation programme.”

The bishop wondered why other areas in the state were relatively peaceful with the exception of Gassol and Bali chiefdoms. He called on the traditional rulers of Gassol and Bali to put in more efforts in ending killings in their domain and to foster peaceful co-existence among diverse religious, ethnic and political groups in the state.

Today, life has become so cheap in the crisis prone central and southern zones of the state. The pathetic situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state is indeed worrisome; IDPs mostly farmers cannot go to their farms; schools and hospitals have remained closed for two years, children are out of school and many of the IDPs have not returned. Thousands of them are still hovering around Taraba/ Benue border axis where there seems to be relative peace,” For many of the IDPs and business owners who have lost their sources of livelihood, life has not been easy. The prayer on their lips is that the federal government, philanthropists and the international community should come to their aid.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Features

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

39

Revitalising the Nigerian theatre

By Blessing Ibegbu

T

heatre, stage performance or stage play is a reflection of daily existence that stimulates instant emotions.

A Nollywood veteran actress, Joke Silva, noted recently that theatre plays an ambassadorial and intellectual role in the society either as entertainment or culture.

According to her, theatre encourages more understanding and interaction between the actor and the audience unlike the screen movies.

She said that the Nigerian theatre required reinvigoration for efficient performance that could enhance the nation’s economy and image.

Silva, therefore, appealed to governments at all levels to put in place policies that would rejuvenate stage and theatre shows. ``Our government must put up policies that would make theatres accessible to the art lovers and the people generally,’’ she said.

In his opinion, Jerry Adesewo, the FCT Secretary of the National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), said that stage performance had suffered neglect in recent time.

He observed that lack of funding for theatres had made operation of the industry difficult, resulting in the decline in the number of theatres across the country. ``The National Theatre which has been the country’s most significant theatre, of course, cannot serve the entire country and neither can the Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja do. ``For theatrical performances in the country to develop to compete favourably with their international counterparts, other means must be provided. ``There must be heavy investment in theatre venues and artistes should be encouraged to remain within and practice the profession,’’ he said.

He, however, said that the association had engaged in series of sensitisation programmes that would improve the industry’s policy and theatre and cultural reforms to reposition the industry.

Sharing similar sentiments, Patrick Otoro, a Nollywood actor and stage performer, explained that quality theatrical performances would rekindle the interest in theatre among Nigerians.

He expressed concern about the dilapidated nature of the existing theatres across the country, observing that some of them had been turned to commercial ventures.

Calling on the appropriate authority to address some of the challenges in the industry, Mr. Isaiah Ilo, a senior lecturer at the University of Abuja, solicited adequate funding from government and donors to promote stage plays and theatre performances. ``For stage play to be revived, theatre which produced it should get the revival first,’’ he insisted.

He called for more security beef-up at performance venues to give people the confidence of going to watch stage plays without fear. ``There should be presentable theatre infrastructure built in schools, local gov-

National Arts Theatre, Lagos

A stage performance ernment areas and cities to encourage the public to directly or indirectly participate in stage play”, Ilo advised.

Kayode Aiyegbusi, the Chief Executive Officer of BlackBones, a theatre group, said that lack of funding and insecurity were some of the challenges facing the development of private theatre in Nigeria. ``It requires a place to rehearse, a place to house artistes, purchase of equipment and costumes, among others,” he said.

Aiyegbusi pleaded with government at all levels to assist operators of private theatres with loans and other logistics to enable them to compete with their foreign counterparts. ``The British Council, the German Embassy, the Chinese and French institutes

consistently exhibit theatrical performances sponsored by their government.

Nigerian government should borrow a leaf from them”, he advised.

In his view, Mike Ekunno, a member of NANTAP, said that theatre practitioners had a lot of work to do to revive, develop and sustain the industry across the country.

He urged actors and actresses to participate actively in the movie industry as a way of marrying both theatre performance and movies.

He said that they could use the opportunity of their roles in Nollywood movies to popularise the theatre plays, soliciting support and funding for the theatre and theatrical performances.

The British Council, the German Embassy, the Chinese and French institutes consistently exhibit theatrical performances sponsored by

their government.

Nigerian government should borrow a leaf from them.

In his opinion, Chukwuemeka Okereafor, the chairman of NANTAP, said actors and actresses should place more emphasis on dance drama. ``Dance drama should be inculcated in school curriculums to explore the creative minds and talents of students. ``Most people shy away from dance drama because it is more difficult than drama.

Dance requires a maximum intensity of professionalism, both in teaching and delivering. ``I believe that people are not interested in it as they ought to be due to the introduction of many dance studios in the society. ``However, the introduction of aerobic exercises for fitness purposes has inspired most people to engage in dance drama in some ways,’’ he said.

He advised government and educational bodies to encourage the teaching of dance drama in schools curriculum just like any subjects.

All in all, theatre professionals insist that given the required funds and logistics, the theatre industry in Nigeria can improve revenue generation and boost the country’s image.

•Culled from NAN

40

Capital Market

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Equities up 0.57% as Lagos plans debt repayment Johnson Okanlawon

T

rading in equities gained for the second consecutive days on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, as more bargain hunters took position on stocks with good earnings.

The All Share Index appreciated 0.57 per cent to close at 23,963.64 points, compared to the increase of 0.59 per cent recorded on Friday to close at 23,826.50 points.

Market capitalization added N47.2 billion to close at N8.241 trillion, compared to the increase of N48.01 billion recorded

n Friday to close at N8.194 trillion.

Research analysts at United Capital noted the market is expected to ride the roller coaster of oil price and foreign portfolio investment funds flows in 2016.

“What’s more, the outlook for company performance in 2016 remains feeble on account of challenging operating environment.

“We have modeled quarterly equity market returns on probability weighted oil price scenarios to arrive at a negative forecast return of 9.2 per cent for the year,” the firm said.

Meanwhile, Lagos State said yesterday it will ask bondholders next month to agree a change to the payment schedules for N167.5 billion of bonds.

The state wants to pay interest and principal semi-annually rather than making a single bullet repayment of the principal at maturity.

According to the state government, the meeting will be held on February 23, 2016.

The state government said the debt in question includes an N80 billion naira seven-year bond maturing in 2019 and an N87.5 billion naira to be

repaid in 2020.

Coupons on the bonds would remain unchanged at 14.5 per cent and 13.5 per cent respectively.

The state government did not say why it wants to change the payment schedule but analysts said Lagos may be hoping to sell new debt at lower yields to fund infrastructure projects.

The government approved a $200 million loan from a World Bank agency this month to develop infrastructure in Lagos state, the minister for works, power and housing said.

Prudential Finance, LeapFrog to invest $300m in Africa Johnson Okanlawon

P

rudential Financial Incorporated, PFI and LeapFrog Investments have announced the launch of a $350 million investment partnership to access high-growth markets in Africa.

Managed by LeapFrog, the new investment vehicle will target investments in life insurance companies in Nigeria and other leading economies, including Kenya and Ghana, to be made over a three to five year period.

A statement by the

firms quoted the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of PFI’s International Businesses, Charles Lowrey, as saying that the investment expands PFI’s footprint into Africa.

According to the statement, Africa offers tremendous potential for growth over the long term.

“We are delighted to partner with LeapFrog Investments, given their deep experience in Africa, and their impressive record of success as insurance investors focused on emerging consumers,”

he said.

Also, Partner at LeapFrog Investments, Doug Lacey, explained that the global insurance industry is looking for ways to close the protection gap for millions of people in emerging markets.

“This partnership will help address that need.

Nigeria is a very exciting market, ranked in the top three in Africa for growth prospects, alongside Kenya and Ghana.

“Insurance penetration in Nigeria remains low and we see real opportunities for growth. We are

delighted to broaden our relationship with PFI, a values-driven partner whom we know well and greatly respect for its global leadership in life insurance, retirement and asset management,” he added.

PFI is an investor in LeapFrog’s most recent private equity fund, and also a member of the LeapFrog Insurance Innovation Circle, a knowledge-sharing and innovation initiative that convenes many of the world’s leading insurers and reinsurers.

Deutsche Bank: Chinese stocks distressed than financial crisis era

W

ith concerns about a hard landing in China playing the starring role in the risk-off environment that’s dominated so far in 2016, it’s no surprise that equities in the world’s second-largest economy have fared particularly poorly.

In local-currency terms, the Shanghai Composite is down almost 17 per cent this year, far underperforming the MSCI World Index’s 7.5 per cent retreat.

“At the current distressed valuations in the H-share market, we think investors may have priced in meaningful probability of a hard-landing scenario in China and/or sizable renminbi depreciation,” writes Deutsche Bank Chief China Equity Strategist Yuliang Chang, referring to stocks listed on the Hong Kong

Stock Exchange.

Valuations are extremely depressed, he notes, observing that the MSCI China’s 12-month forward price-tobook ratio, excluding American Depositary Receipts, currently sits at one times book—meaning investors are valuing the companies as just the stated sum of their assets.

That’s a lower valuation than it was during the financial crisis in October 2008, the European sovereign debt crisis in October 2011, or China’s interbank crunch of June 2013.

The depressed price-tobook multiple also speaks to investor uncertainty as to whether the value of assets on Corporate China’s balance sheets are accurate amid a softening economic backdrop, relatively opaque accounting

practices, and a rise in nonperforming loans. The forward price-to-earnings multiple, meanwhile, is markedly lower than that of the MSCI Emerging Markets, MSCI Asia Pacific ex. Japan, and S&P 500 indexes.

Institutional investors are also largely eschewing Chinese equities, Chang found, while dedicated funds are overweight defensive sectors.

Chinese stocks are also technically oversold, the strategist pointed out, citing an elevated level of expected volatility and short-selling activity.

Putting all this together, the conclusion is inescapable: Chinese stocks are especially out of favor at the moment.

“We don’t think a hard landing is very likely in the near term, and against cur-

rent depressed market expectations as implied by distressed valuations, we see scope for upside surprise,” the strategist concludes.

(Source – Bloomberg.com)

Source: NSE

Market indicators All-Share Index 23,963.64points Market capitalisation 8.24trn

Stock Updates GAINERS COMPANY

OPENING

CLOSING

CHANGE

% CHANGE

GUINNESS

101.85

112.28

10.43

10.24

NAHCO

3.56

3.90

0.34

9.55

ZENITHBANK

11.30

12.18

0.88

7.79

FCMB

0.99

1.06

0.07

7.07

GUARANTY

15.36

16.29

0.93

6.05

FLOURMILL

16.93

17.95

1.02

6.02

AFRIPRUD

2.38

2.52

0.14

5.88

SEPLAT

156.71

164.54

7.83

5.00

CADBURY

13.89

14.58

0.69

4.97

HONYFLOUR

1.48

1.55

0.07

4.73

LOSERS COMPANY BERGER

OPENING 9.97

8.2

MPR

13

Crude oil price

$58.96

9.01

CHANGE

% CHANGE

-0.96

-9.63

LEARNAFRCA

0.83

0.76

-0.07

-8.43

FBNH

4.50

4.27

-0.23

-5.11

CHAMPION

3.23

3.07

-0.16

-4.95

NNFM

8.13

7.73

-0.40

-4.92

NB

108.00

102.80

-5.20

-4.81

AIRSERVICE

2.19

2.09

-0.10

-4.57

FIDELITYBK

1.33

1.27

-0.06

-4.51

VITAFOAM

4.92

4.70

-0.22

-4.47

AIICO

0.85

0.82

-0.03

-3.53

FGN Bonds Offer

Bid Description

Price

Yield

Price

Yield

15.10 27-APR-2017

1.25

105.78

10.04

106.78

9.21

16.00 29-JUN-2019

3.43

114.38

10.85

115.38

10.53

15.54 13-FEB-2020

4.05

110.20

12.26

111.20

11.96

16.39 27-JAN-2022

6.01

118.24

12.04

119.24

11.82

14.20 14-MAR-2024

8.13

110.18

12.18

111.18

12.00

10.00 23-JUL-2030

14.49 85.51

12.15

86.51

11.98

Rate (%) Inflation

CLOSING

Closing Market Prices of January 25, 2016

Treasury Bills Maturity Date

Bid

Offer

28-Apr-16

4.53

4.58

28-Jul-16

7.01

7.27

19-Jan-17

8.31

8.31

Exchange

Rates (N)

WAUA

270

USD

196.95

EURO

214

CFA

0.32

YEN

1.64

Tenor

Rate (%)

SWISS FRANC

202

O/N

1.0000

1M

8.8643

POUNDS STERLING

293

3M

10.6576

SDR

273

6M

11.8162

NIBOR

CBN Clearing Rates of January 7, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

41

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

World News Anti-Semitism is more widespread than we imagined. I think that is why we must act intensively against it.

–GERMAN CHANCELLOR, ANGELA MERKEL

Arab Spring memorial: Police set for Cairo showdown

porters of the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, although secular activists have also been prosecuted for breaking an anti-protest law.

Sisi, a retired field marshal who was elected president in 2014, has vowed that there will be a firm response to any unrest on the anniversary.

“The security and stability of nations are not to be toyed with,” he said in a speech over the weekend at a ceremony marking Police Day which incidentally was yesterday.

Amnesty International warned on Sunday that Egypt was now mired in a human rights crisis of huge proportions, saying the Arab country had reverted back to a police state.

“Tens of thousands have been arrested and the country’s prisons are now overflowing, with widespread reports of torture and hundreds held without charge or trial,” the group’s Deputy Middle East and North Africa Director, Said Boumedouha, said.

Meanwhile, President of the Nigeria Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, has said that this is not the only incident of a Nigerian being mistreated while being held by South African police.

“We take exception to the continued torture of Nigerians by the South African police,” Anyene said.

There have also been demands for the Nigerian community to commission its own post-mortem.

South African policemen barricading protesters on Saturday

A FOLABI G AMBARI

WITH AGENCY REPORT

S

ecurity has been stepped up in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on the fifth anniversary of the start of the uprising that toppled former Hosni Mubarak.

Police were seen deployed near Tahrir Square, the symbolic centre of the uprising.

Reports said thousands of homes have been raided, as the authorities looked for people who might be planning protests against President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, as local and international human rights activists said the situation in the country had never been worse.

Sisi led the military’s overthrow of Mubarak’s Islamist successor, Mohammed Morsi, in 2013 following mass protests.

Since then, more than 1,

Police armoured personnel carriers seen patrolling a Cairo street yesterday 000 people have been killed and 40, 000 are believed to have been jailed in a sweeping crackdown on dissenters, most of whom have been sup-

SA probes Nigerian death

S

outh African state pathologists are to carry out a post-mortem on a Nigerian man who died after being arrested near Johannesburg on Saturday.

A protest immediately followed, with 300 people surrounding the vehicle where he died, local media reported yesterday.

The allegation that he was suffocated is also being investigated by an independent police complaints body.

Police said he died after

swallowing drugs as they were about to arrest him for possession.

“As soon as he saw the police coming he swallowed the dr ugs and overdosed and died on the scene,” Inde pendent Police Investig ative Directorate spokesperson, Robbie Raburabu, said.

Police used rubber bullets to disperse the crowd of protesters in the Kempton Park area on Saturday, according to eyewitnesses.

Oil slide hits Russian economy

R

ussia’s economy contracted by 3.7 per cent in 2015, according to preliminary figures

Russian President Vladimir Putin

published by the country’s statistics service.

Re t a i l sales plunged by 1 0 p e r c e n t a n d c a p i t a l i nve s t m e n t f e l l by 8 . 4 p r c e n t i n t h e e c o n o m y ’s wo r s t p e r f o r m a n c e s i n c e 2009.

In contrast, Russian GDP increased by 0.6 per cent in 2014.

The economy has been hit hard by the extraordinary collapse in oil prices, which have fallen by 70 per cent in the past 15 months while sanctions imposed by the West after Russia annexed Ukraine’s Crimea region in

2014 have also had an impact.

President Vladimir Putin said in December that the budget had been calculated based on oil at $50 a bar rel. But oil is cur rently trading at just over $30 a bar rel.

Russian citizens are increasingly concer ned. Inflation is rising, so is the fear of job losses. Meanwhile, real incomes in Russia are falling and social benefits are being cut.

The rouble fell to record lows against the US dollar last week, before regaining

some ground as oil prices recovered slightly.

The currency was down more than 1 per cent at 78.87 after oil prices fell about 3 per cent.

Economy Minister, Alexei Ulyukayev, said he expected the Russian central bank to leave interest rates on hold at 11 per cent when it meets on Friday.

Unemployment in Russia was steady at 5.8 per c e n t i n D e c e m b e r, m e a n ing that 4.4million people w e r e o u t o f w o rk , a n d real wa g es fell by 10 per cent.

WORLD BULLETIN

East Asia cold snap kills 85 A cold snap sweeping across East Asia has killed at least 85 people in Taiwan and stranded 60, 000 tourists in South Korea.

Taiwanese media reported deaths from hypothermia and cardiac disease following a sudden drop in temperature over the weekend.

The cold spell has also hit Hong Kong, southern China and Japan.

Many of those who died in Taiwan were elderly people living in northern regions such as Taipei and Taoyuan. Those areas accounted for 66 of the deaths.

Another 16 were confirmed dead in the southern city of Kaohsiung.

The temperature in Taipei city fell to a 44-year low of 4C (39F) on Sunday, and many homes in Taiwan lack central heating.

“In our experience, it’s not the actual temperature but the sudden drop that’s too sudden for people’s circulatory systems,’’ a city official said yesterday.

Kenya’s ‘pimped’ taxis face ban Matatus, the minibus taxis used by so many Kenyans to navigate the capital Nairobi, often covered in graffiti and modified with extraloud horns, are facing a crackdown from regulators.

Offensive graffiti, noisy modified exhausts, horns and sound systems are all being targeted by the country’s National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).

Vehicles flouting the rules will be pulled off the road, the NTSA said, although President Uhuru Kenyatta previously said he supported the artwork on the buses.

The extra decoration or “pimping” of matatus is viewed by many as an important aspect of cultural life in the capital.

Reports said yesterday that extra traffic police were out on the roads to enforce the plan.

Americas face Zika virus threat The Zika virus is likely to spread across nearly all of the Americas, the World Health Organization has warned.

The infection, which causes symptoms including mild fever, conjunctivitis and headache, has already been found in 21 countries in the Caribbean, North and South America, has been linked to thousands of babies being born with underdeveloped brains and some countries have advised women not to get pregnant.

Experts also said treatment or vaccine is available for the virus said to be native to Africa and was first found to be spreading in the Americas in Brazil in May 2015.

The lack of any natural immunity in the Americas is thought to be helping the infection to spread rapidly.

42

North

Tuesday, January 26, 2015

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Buhari’s would soon make Nigeria regain lost glory –Masari JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

G

L-R: Adamawa State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmad Sajoh; Lamido of Adamawa, Alhaji Barkindo Mustafa; Dan Galadima of Adamawa, Alhaji Lawal Ribadu and some district heads of Adamawa Emirate Council, during an advocacy visit by officials of the state ministry of information to Lamido’s Palace yesterday

Steer clear of anti-party activities, Kaduna APC warns members A ZA MSUE KADUNA

K

aduna State deputy governor, Barnabas Bala Bantex, yesterday declared that state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, can suspend him if found to be engaged in anti party’s activities and being disloyal to the party.

Bantex however, said Governor Nasir el-rufai’s government is too busy implementing All Progressives Congress, APC, manifestos and fulfilling campaign promises to the electorates and will not join political issues with

anyone.

Bantex who spoke with journalists at the end of Kaduna APC Exco and elected officials and appointees held in Kaduna, urged party members to be disciplined and loyal to APC at all levels, adding that the party in is bigger than any member.

Bantex, the immediate past State APC Chairman, said the present administration will not be distracted, stressing that Governor El-rufai has embarked on checklist of projects across the state for the people.

He said: “We are here

today to work toward the party’s unity in the state.

We are united and we will continue to be. We are calling on APC members to keep away from things that will affect the party. Our governor, Mallam Nasir el-rufai and all of us are too busy implementing APC manifestos to the good people of Kaduna and we don’t have time. Free feeding program is going on in public primary schools across the state, among numerous programmes.

We intend to massively deal with unemployment and other issues affecting our people.

“We have our checklist of projects we want to implement and we are implementing it in line with our party’s manifestos” When asked about the recent suspension of a chieftain of the party, Bantex said: “APC is a disciplined party and if any party member goes against the party’s constitution, that person will be disciplined and so shall it be. ‘’The party can suspend any member including me if found wanting in activities that are against the party’s constitution,” Bantex declared.

tion received that other members of the gangs had set out for another robbery operation using an ash colour Nissan Almeria, SARS operatives and a team from Okehi divisional police headquarters embarked on rigorous patrol along Oziokutu -Obangede road where the suspect, Mohammed Abdulrazak and three others escaped arrest, but Mohammed was later arrested in their hideout in Okene town.

Items recovered from the suspect include one AK-47 riffle, one Pump Action riffle, four live cartridges, five masks and a Nissan Almera car.

Also paraded were Chukura Okorourfor, Chukuma Aniche, Chidibe Okocha, Chukwu Ebuka Ejeamydo

and their only female member Amarachi Okafor Eze for criminal conspiracy and armed robbery.

He pointed out that the suspects were arrested with the help of a victim who reported to the police that she was robbed of N45,000 by a syndicate of four men and a lady along Irepeni -Okene road.

Police arrest gun snatcher in Kogi WALE IBRAHIM LOKOJA

K

ogi State Police command has arrested a suspected Police rifle snatcher who specialised in Killing policemen on duty and carting away their weapons.

While parading the suspect, Mohammed Abdulrazak yesterday, at the command headquarters in Lokoja, the State Commissioner of Police Mr Besan Gwana, stated that on December 10, 2015 two police officers, Late Corporal Isijola Gbenga and late Corporal Yohanna Amos, attached to Okene Divisional Police Headquarters, were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen suspected to be men of the

underworld while on duty along Okene-Lagos-Ogori/ Magongo highway.

Gwana explained that on the 13th of the same month, late DSP James Moses who was on a transit along Okene-Akure road, was also shot dead and his service pistol carted away at a mechanic workshop while repairing his faulty car.

He further revealed that the combined effort of SARS operatives and Anticrime patrol Okene division led to the recovery of the deceased service pistol and one AK-47 riffle as two of the robbers sustained bullet wounds and later died on their ways to hospital.

The commissioner added that upon informa-

ood leadership as exemplified by President Muhammadu Buhari would soon make Nigeria regain its lost glory.

Speaking yesterday in Katsina State, Governor Aminu Bello Masari said Buhari’s administration, in a short period, has been able to put the security situation in the North-East in check.

Masari said Nigerians were now proud of the military’s accomplishment in fight against Boko Haram insurgency, and that such was made possible under Buhari’s purposeful leadership.

He said purposeful leadership was important in taking Nigeria back on track socio-economically, and that with necessary support, Buhari would take the country to where it needs to be.

Masari was speaking when he received participants of the 38 Course of

the Armed Forces Command and Staff Military Training College, Jaji.

The governor however, said the journey was still far ahead as several sectors needed reform such as the education and agricultural sectors.

He said it was because of this that his administration was giving priority to the reforming of key sectors which include agriculture, education, health and water supply.

Masari said giving priority to such would help transform many lives, as these were major catalysts to human development.

The leader of the delegation, Brigadier General Johnson Irefin said they were in the state on study tour, and had earlier visited other states.

Irefin said the tour would enable them familiarise with the culture and norms of the people across the states, as well as know more about Nigeria.

Niger asked to assist Nigeria on illegal drugs importation

JAMES DANJUMA KATSINA

N

iger Republic has been called upon to assist in addressing problem of illegal importation of hard drugs into Katsina State through border communities.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari stated this yesterday when he received a delegation of Niger Republic government led by ConsulGeneral in Kano State, Mrs. Rabi Abdu.

Masari said illicit drugs brought into the state through the border areas were having a negative effect on economy and youths in the state.

He said the state is among top states in Nige-

ria where imported substances like cough syrup, was massively consumed for its psychotic effect.

He said youths; including young girls and married women were often into the use of the syrup among other substances, which makes them engage in unwholesome behaviours.

Masari however, expressed satisfaction over the cordial relationship between the Niger Republic and Nigeria, even as he hoped the relationship would wax stronger.

He added that the state had enrolled some Nigeriens into training programme at the Youth Craft Village, where they would learn various vocational skills.

Fulani group to checkmate crime among herdsmen IGBAWASE UKUMBA LAFIA

A

Fulani group, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, yesterday, said it will henceforth embark on checkmating any alleged crime perpetrated by herdsmen on their host communities across the

country.

National President of the association, Mohammed Ardo Zuru, stated this during the inauguration of a 22-member executive of the Nasarawa State chapter of the association in Lafia, the state capital.

The association president said the cattle breed-

ers’ umbrella body would not tolerate criminality among its members as reports of herdsmen invading farms and threatening owners of such farms with guns would be viewed seriously by the group to forestall peace among communities where the herdsmen are residing.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

A

n NGO, Twins Action Aid International, yesterday called for compensation for the family of the twin brothers and their friend killed by a drunken policeman in Ketu, Lagos in December.

Executive Director of the group, Mr Kehinde Oluwafunso, who made the call at a news conference in Lagos, added that his organisation would ensure that justice was done to the family.

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the policeman, Sgt.

43

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

NGO seeks compensation for Oyesunle family for twins killed by drunken policeman Stephen James, alleged to have been drunk on Saturday, December 26, 2015, shot dead the twin brothers, Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle.

The policeman also killed a friend of the twins, simply identified as Jeje before shooting himself dead at Paulson Hotel, Anibaba Street, Ketu.

The NGO, which ex-

pressed sadness over the killings, said that the communities of twins and their friend in Lagos State were mourning the demise of the young men who were in their early 30s.

“Morally, the action is highly condemnable in any sane society because it is an inhumanity to humanity and injustice.

“ C o n s t i t u t i o n a l l y, the organisation is suing the Nigeria Police for this heartbreaking and unconstitutional action,’’ Oluwafunso said.

The executive director said that the Nigeria Police should compensate the family of Oyesunle and rehabilitate their mother.

Oluwafunso also lamented that the police

did not visit the family of the deceased, particularly their mother.

The NGO called on the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, and the Lagos Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, to visit the family as a mark of respect for the dead.

“The Lagos State Government or the concerned authority should

rename Dairo Street, Ketu, where the twin brothers lived before their death as Taiwo and Kehinde Oyesunle Street.

“The Federal Government should overhaul the recruitment process into the Nigeria Police to check the continued enlistment of assassins,” Oluwafunso said.

UN urges govts to reverse trend of childhood obesity

T

he UN yesterday called on governments to reverse the trend of a global epidemic in childhood obesity by promoting healthy foods and physical activities.

The call was contained in a report launched by the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity (ECHO).

The report stated that the number of overweight children under five years would jump from 42 million to 70 million over the next decade.

It noted that following globalisation and urbanisation, exposure to unhealthy environments kept increasing, with the marketing of unhealthy foods a major factor.

In 2014, the report stated that almost 48 CHANGE OF NAME

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per cent of all overweight and obese children below the age of five lived in Asia and one quarter in Africa.

The number of overweight children aged under five in Africa nearly doubled since 1990 from 5.4 million to 10.3 million.

The report urged WHO to institutionalise a cross-cutting and life-course approach to end childhood obesity, recommending that N o n - G o ve r n m e n t a l Organisations should raise the profile of the problem.

It also called on the private sector to support the production of and improved access to healthy foods and beverages.

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alcoholic beverages was a major factor in the alarming increase, which rose from 31 million in 1990 to 41 million in 2014, particularly in the developing world, the greatest rise coming from low- and middle-income countries.

The report also called on governments to promote the intake of healthy foods and reduce the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages by children and adolescents, through effective taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages and curbing the marketing of unhealthy foods, for example.

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sedentary behaviours in children and adolescents.

It recommended preconception and pregnancy care to reduce the risk of childhood obesity by preventing low or high birth weight, prematurity and other complications in pregnancy.

It stated that early childhood diet and physical activity, promoting breastfeeding; limiting consumption of foods high in fat, sugar and salt, ensuring availability of healthy foods and fostering physical activity in early child care were ideal.

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ADDITION OF NAME

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It further called for establishment of standards in school meals, eliminating the sale of unhealthy foods and drinks, as well as including health and nutrition and quality physical education in core school curriculum.

It also called for weight management, providing family-based multi component, lifestyle weight management services for children and young people who were obese.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

ty are encouraged.

Presenting the report to the WHO Director-General, the ECHC Co-Chair, Peter Gluckman, called for increased political commitment by governments to tackle the global challenge of childhood overweight and obesity.

Gluckman said WHO needed to work with governments to implement a wide range of measures that addressed the environmental causes of obesity and overweight, and help to give children the healthy start to life they deserved.

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National Industrial Court of Nigeria and general public should please take note.

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This is to confirm and certify that EZEH BONIFACE EZIEKE, EZEKE BONIFACE EZE and EZEH BONIFACE EZEH refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as EZEH BONIFACE EZEH. Any of my documents bearing both names still remain valid.

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CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CHANGE OF NAME

This is to confirm and certify that ONOH FABIAN IKECHUKWU ANAYO EDDY, ONOH ANAYO EDDY, ONOH FABIAN IKECHUKWU and ONOH ANAYO EDDY refers to one and same person but now wish to be known and addressed as ONOH FABIAN IKECHUKWU ANAYO EDDY. Any of my documents bearing both names still remain valid. General public please take note

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44

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

CONFIRMATION OF NAME

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CORRECTION OF NAME/ DATE OF BIRTH

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PUBLIC NOTICE

THE WELLING OF LIGHT MINISTRY. This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied to the Corporate Affairs Commission for registration under Part “C” of the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Pastor Samuel Olusola Oyewumi.

2. Pastor (Mrs) Racheal Oyewumi.

3. Pastor Emmanuel Iyanuoluwa Oyewumi AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. To preach the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the Registrar-General, Corporate Affairs Commission, Abuja, within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Pastor Yemi Alao

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National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Metu set to break Olympics medal jinx

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

45

Sport

Soccer is a simple-minded game for simple people, golf is merely an expensive way of leaving home

47

–Michael Parkinson Bats in the Pavillion (1977)

CHAN

Eagles battle Syli Nationale for q/finals spot N

igeria’s home-based Super Eagles are battle ready to pick all three points off Guinea’s Syli Nationale today in order to make sure of top spot in Group C and guarantee qualification for the quarter-finals of the ongoing 4th African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Last Sunday, the Eagles arrived in Rubavu, venue of their clash with the Syli Nationale, after a threehour road trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.

The team had its first training session in Rubavu same day and yesterday, had a feel of the 5000 seats

biggest threat to the Syli Nationale. His excellent positioning can get him the goals to be top scorer of this championship.

His colleague, attacking midfielder, Ikechukwu Ibenegbu, however said that they are expecting tough challenge from their Guinean opponents.

But he insisted that Nigeria will certainly brush

Umuganda Stadium, venue of this afternoon’s match.

Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side last Friday and promised that the team will put out another dogged display today.

Eagles’ striker, Chisom Chikatara, on four goals, is expected to pose the

Group C Team

P W L D GF GA GD PTS

Nigeria

2

1

0

1

5

2

3

4

Guinea

2

0

0

2

4

4

0

2

Tunisia

2

0

0

2

3

3

0

2

Niger

2

0

1

1

3

6

-3

1

aside the Guineans for the desired quarterfinals ticket.

“No team is pushover here at the ongoing African Nations Championship in Rwanda even Niger we beat 4-1 were too tough not to talk of the Tunisians.

“So we are not expecting any cheap match in the championship not against Guinea on Tuesday in Rubavu,” Ibenegbu told supersport.com.

Eagles lead the group on four points followed

by Guinea on two points same as Tunisia while Niger are at the base on one point.

N

igeria’s technical crew headed

by Coach Sunday Oliseh is sweating over the fitness of top striker, Chisom Chikatara and Usman Mohammed for today’s decisive CHAN Group C clash against Guinea after he injured his groin muscles against Tunisia.

Chikatara and Usamn trained on their own on Sunday and yesterday, apart from the main squad for the Super Eagles first training on arrival in Giseny.

“Both Chikatara and Usman Mohammed trained apart from the main squad because they have some knocks,” disclosed former international, Tijani Babangida.

“It will be a massive setback if Chikatara is not available for this game. He is our leading scorer with four goals from two matches.”

However, medical officials said it was only a precautionary measure so the Abia Warriors star and Usman could be fully ready for the clash, which will determine Nigeria’s fate in

Oliseh sweats over Chikatara

the championship in Rwanda.

Usman played one of his best games for the Eagles when he started ahead of the more experienced Bartholomew ‘Mosquito’ Ibenegbu against Tunisia as the attacking midfielder in Coach Oliseh’s 4-2-3-1 formation.

He overstretched his groin muscles when he went in for a tackle late on and was replaced

by Ibenegbu in the 71st minute against Tunisia.

Second-placed Tunisia take on Niger in the other group game with the overall winners of this section up against the runners-up in Group D, while the Group D winners square up with the runners-up in Nigeria’s group.

Today’s fixtures Guinea vs Nigeria Niger vs Tunisia

Results Ethiopia 1 Angola 2 Cameroun 3 DR Congo 1

46

Sports

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Murray in action yesterday

Australian Open

Murray beats Tomic, faces Ferrer in q/finals

S

cottish second seed, Andy Murray, makes last eight in Melbourne again after disposing of Bernard Tomic The world No.2 has maintained his clean slate of having never dropped a set against Tomic, downing the Gold Coaster 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4) in the fourth round of Australian Open 2016 yesterday.

Murray also extended his unbeaten run against Austra-

lian players to 17-0 with his fourth triumph in as many meetings with the world No.16, while the Scot made it through to his seventh straight Melbourne quarter-final.

In his prior three matches, Murray had dropped serve just three times, but was broken four times in the twohour, 30-minute encounter on Rod Laver Arena.

“Both of us had our chances,” Murray said. “Bernie didn’t play his best tiebreak, missed a few easy balls (but

he) fought right to the end and made it very tough for me. “(It was) quite a scrappy match.

I don’t think there was a time in the match where we were playing our best at the same time.”

Murray secured the opening set 6-4, winning a slice exchange when Tomic’s backhand found the net.

The No.2 seed next meets eighth seed, David Ferrer, after the Spaniard saw off 10th seed John Isner in straight sets.

Serena, Sharapova in 21st Grand Slam battle

T

he first women’s quarterfinals game today features two of the tour’s more creative shot-makers – fourth seed, Agnieszka Radwanska, and No. 10 Carla Suarez Navarro.

Afterwards, it’s Maria Sharapova versus Serena Williams for the 21st time, with the world No. 1 having won 17 in a row dating back to a 2005 semifinal thriller at Melbourne Park when she saved three match points to beat Sharapova 2-6, 7-5, 8-6.

“I remember hitting an inside-out forehand when I was down match point,” Williams recalled. “I remember hitting it as hard as I could.”

Looking ahead to the match, Sharapova’s employed gallowshumour saying, “It’s not like I think about what I can do worse.”

It’s their seventh Grand Slam

Sharapova (left) and Serena after a previous meeting

meeting and Sharapova has won only once – 6-1, 6-4 in their very first one in the 2004 Wimbledon final. She was an upstart 17-year-old at the time. Williams was a 22-year-old, six-time Grand Slam

champion.

With her merciless 17-0 dominance ever since, you might even get the impression that Williams is the kind of person who holds a grudge.

EPL: I’m happy to be back –Osaze

Osaze

N

igerian attacker, Osaze Odemwingie, says he is happy to be back and available for Stoke City, having made his first Premier League appearance since October in their 3-0 loss to Leicester City last weekend.

Odemwingie has struggled with injury this season, while competition from the likes of Bojan Krkic and Marko Arnautovic has also contributed to him seeing little playing action.

However, he says he is now ready and willing to make a major contribution to the Potters. “I’m happy to be back involved. Players are not happy when they’re not playing, but I’ve been training at my best to be ready,” he told the Stoke Sentinel.

“You need more games to be back to your best, so

hopefully I will keep being part of the team and get that game time.

“I hope I can play more.

The boys have done great over the last month, but you know there are some times that fatigue kicks in and that’s why we have a big squad.

“Hopefully it will get to my turn when the team needs me and I can contribute because I feel fresh.”

Odemwingie says that Leicester City’s performance demonstrated why they sit at the top of the Premier League log.

“It was a tough day.

They were at their best. We saw why they are top of the table. We weren’t as good as we have been for most of the last few months and that was the price we pay,” the Nigerian said.

National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sports

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

47

World bits…

Athletics scandal: adidas ends IAAF deal

Mercyjacob_26@yahoo.com Tel: 08063056537

Metu set to break Olympics medal jinx

...explains drop in performance

N

igerian Sprinter, Obinna Metu, has set a target for himself ahead of Rio 2016 Olympics noting that he intends to be at the Olympics to correct his past mistakes.

The former fastest man in Nigeria, who has been to two Olympics without getting to the second round in the competition, has reiterated that he is preparing so hard as to break the jinx of no medal in the Olympics.

“Everybody knows that this is Olympics year all the athletes who wants to make the team are seriously preparing themselves for the event, which personally I am doing because I intend to rewrite records this year. I want to use this year’s Olympics to correct my past mistakes and to break the jinx of no Olympics medal.

In the first Olympics I participated on I tried my best but my best was not enough to take me to the medal spot. But in the second one I had an obstruction and a cramp challenges as result of it I could not perform very well.

I have gathered experience from the last two Olympics which I took part and I have learnt some lessons which are going to be helpful to me in Rio 2016 Metu said.

My happiness in this year’s Olympics is that I am injury free and pray that God will continue to keep me out of injury even when the competition might have commenced.

Metu in an exclusive interview with National Mirror also spoke on his drop of performance as seen by sports loving Nigerians.

“For me I have not dropped in my performance, because I have not dropped from the time I used to run before, rather what we are witnessing is normal. It is a sign

I

AAF President,Sebastian Coe faces a fresh fight in the fallout from the scandal which has rocked athletics with adidas ending its multi-million pound sponsorship of the IAAF four years early.

And there are fears that other major sponsors could follow suit as the sport tries to repair its reputation following the shocking revelations of doping and corruption.

The IAAF have been concerned about protecting their sponsorship deals in light of the allegations against Coe’s predecessor Lamine Diack and other former IAAF officials. Coe recently travelled to Japan to allay the concerns of the organisation’s partners, five of which — Toyota, Canon, Seiko, TDK and TBS — have headquarters in that country.

The premature end of the adidas deal shows the company’s loss of faith in the under-fire IAAF. The contract is thought to be worth more than £2 million a year in direct revenue but is also estimated to be worth nearly three times that in terms of additional product provision.

Adidas is thought to have informed the IAAF of its intention to end the contract last week although neither party has confirmed the parting of ways. A potentially complex legal battle is set to follow between the two parties and the Japanese company Dentsu, to which the IAAF has sold its marketing rights up to and including 2029.

That deal means that the end of the adidas sponsorship will not immediately hit the IAAF coffers — with a set, unknown revenue from Dentsu each year — but the news obviously diminishes its attraction to other sponsors. IAAF Council member Geoff Gardner told the BBC that other sponsors “will come out of the woodwork”, with Nike and Puma, both leading backers of the sport, the most feasible candidates to potentially step in.

The stance by adidas, however, appears in contrast to its partnership with FIFA. The sportswear company has a contract with FIFA up to 2030 and it seems there are no plans to sever those ties despite the corruption scandal surrounding football’s governing body.

Russia bans four athletes for doping

F

ormer European 800m silver medallist Irina Maracheva has been banned for two years for doping by the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

Race walker Anna Lukyanova has also been given a twoyear ban, while there are fouryear bans for runners Maria Nikolaeva and Elena Nikulina.

The sanctions were the first handed down by the ROC since Russia was banned from athletics competition in November.

Further details about the bans have not been made public.

Metu

Russia is currently dealing with the fallout of a damaging report that made allegations of state-sponsored doping in the country.

The IAAF, which governs world athletics, provisionally suspended Russia from international competition in November.

Russia will only be reinstated if it fulfils strict criteria, including compliance with all World Anti-Doping Agency and IAAF anti-doping rules.

An IAAF inspection team is due to meet Russia’s new athletics chief, Dmitry Shlyakhtin, in Moscow on Monday.

Carton keeps up her form

of growth which every sporting nation should always expect.

“In every country there are always upcoming athletes, who are expected to take over from the ones who have been there. that is why every athletes has its time to rain perhaps that is what some Nigerians are seeing as a drop in my performance .But the truth is before me there was Olu-

soji Fasuba, Uchenna Emeteole and others when I took over from them before Nigerians started calling for their retirement to the extent that some were called tired legs and some were frustrated out on timely.

Even these upcoming athletes who seem to be making waves have not been able to break my record Metu added.”

Star Quote…

I am made of endless hours. Not just split seconds.

–Christophe Lemaitre

L

ouise Carton maintained her brilliant consistency in the Joker+CrossCup on Sunday, even though she could not make it her third individual win of the series.

As the competition resumed in Hannut with the GP de la Province de Liège, this European Athletics Cross Country Permit Race over 5.2km once more brought out the tenacity of a Belgian who is having a superb spell.

Carton led before being pegged back by Ethiopia’s Alemu Birtukan who had just too much in the end.

Birtukan won in 18:53 from Carton (18:59) with her fellow Belgian Veerle Dejaeghere in third (19:05).

After impressive victories in Mol and Roeselare in November and fourth in Brussels in December, Carton now has 100 points in the CrossCup which began with her leading her club Meetjesland 1 to success in the relays in October. Races in Rotselaar in Febru-

ary and Dour and Wachtebeke in March complete the series.

Carton won the under-23 gold medal at the SPAR European Cross Country Championships in Hyères last month and will surely look back at the last few months as the best winter of her career.

In the men’s race over 8.8km, Belgium’s Jeroen D’Hoedt finished fourth after arriving home only 24 hours earlier from a three-week training stint in South Africa.

He ran 29:08 as Ethiopian Dame Tasame, who is based in Belgium, took victory in a thrilling finish in 28:27 from Kenya’s David Bett (28:32) and fellow Ethiopian Shumi Teshome (28:32).

Rovereto saw the 39th staging of the Cross Internazionale della Vallagarina and there was much for the home crowd to cheer with a fine run from Silvia La Barbera as she proved age is not always the key when it comes to stamina and speed.

WORLD RECORD

Fastest sandwich madetwo using feet Fastest marathon dribbling basketballs Using just his feet, Rob Williams of Austin, Texas, USA, made a Bologna, cheese and lettuce sandwich, complete with olives on cocktail sticks, in 1 min 57 sec

N150

Vol. 05 No. 1294 Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Wages of a people’s aversion to truth

T

hree incidents prompted this article. The first is the wide dissemination of an article purportedly written by our esteemed Professor Wole Soyinka in tribute to Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. When I read the article, I immediately suspected it could not have been the handiwork of Kongi. When I raised the issue with my friends, most of who are in the same political persuasion as I am, I was chastised by most of them; their rationalization being that it did not matter who the author is; but the content was what mattered. We have since learnt that the said article was indeed written by someone else.

The second is the case of Col Sambo

Guest Columnist

Akintokunbo A. Adejumo

Dasuki (retd), the embattled National Security Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, who is now embroiled in a fight for his freedom after being accused of mismanaging billions of dollars meant arms purchase for the counterinsurgency cause in the North East part of NIigeria.

I remember when this man was appointed, there was much encomium heaped on him. His touted CV was as long as my two arms extended. I said to myself then that “This is the end of Boko Haram in Nigeria”. Alas, it turned out he was just there for his pocket and/or to enrich some interested individuals or groups. A dearth of purposeful leadership in this potentially great country is only too obvious.

And third is the case of the 29,000 Nigerians allegedly awaiting deportation from the United Kingdom. Five hundred of them were deported to Nigeria in one day, using one chartered plane. Again, I wrote that this was not possible! Five hundred Nigerians, who were unwilling to go home packed in one plane, with how many guards? At what cost to the British Government?

I was again buttonholed by some people, who think they are more patriotic than I am. As it turned out, only 48 Nigerians were deported that day, with probably more to come in batches. Where did our journalists and reporters get the 500 figure from? Nowhere, but they just have to enhance or embellish the news so that

MANY PEOPLE ONLY HEAR WHAT THEY WANT

TO HEAR. ANYBODY THAT PROVIDES THEM LIES IS TELLING THE ‘TRUTH

they can sell papers, and the gullible people swallowed the lies, as they know they would.

The more I read our newspapers and the social media, listen to our politicians and civil servants, and notice often knee-jerk, misinformed reactions of my people, I have come to believe that my people just do not want to hear the truth.

They really just want to be lied to, beautiful lies that make them feel good, make then forget their sorrows and the sins committed by them and against them, that make them seem to be part of their often corrupt and totally immoral governments; and fit with what they really want to believe.

Trying to tell the truth to our people is absolutely futile. Trying to tell people the truth after they have been lied to their entire life, as Nigerians have been lied to almost since their Independence, isn’t really worthwhile at all, it just gets you called a reactionary. In fact, they turn you into the liar, and make you start questioning your own insanity and integrity. Many people only hear what they want to hear.

Anybody that provides them lies is telling the ‘truth’. It is a psychological

trait.

I will admit that in philosophy, truth is relative. There is no absolute truth. But in saner societies, some kind of truthbased ideology and tenet has been the defining and engaging foundation to their development as better societies. I have never before encountered a people and country, where truth is so much in short supply as to be completely non-existent as Nigeria. There is a deliberate dearth of truth and fact, not the least aided by devilish politicians, unconcerned civil servants, selfish businessmen/women, and, wait for it, the society (people) itself.

Most of our leaders are intelligent (intelligent only enough to know how to pull the wool over the eyes of the rest of us and how to loot the treasury and still appear like heroes).

But why are they like that? We were clamouring for a graduate President a while ago; then we had one with BSc Chemistry; and then, presto another one with a PhD. Nigeria suddenly became an educated elite country. Then what happened? Education is not a prerequisite for good governance, I have come to appreciate. It helps, but ONLY if the person has a good heart towards his people. That’s leadership.

Nigerians like sensational news and the ruling class knows this, so they spin us load of lies and we buy it hook, line and sinker. They ALL TELL LIES. The newspapers that are supposed to feed us with correct information are even worse.

They cannot even verify the news before going to print.

The truth forces one to question the foundational beliefs one holds. In present times, continuing down our shared road to ruin just to feel contented with ourselves is a really bad idea.

Adejumo wrote from Ibadan via akinadejum@aol.com

Sport Extra

N

asarawa United head coach, Kabir Dogo, has said that continuity greatly helped his team to achieve success at the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Super 4 in Kaduna.

The Solid Miners chalked

Super 4: ‘Why Nasarawa United won first leg’ five points to win the first leg of the competition ahead challengers, Akwa United, Enyimba and Warri Wolves.

The second leg of the Super 4 will hold at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium

in Uyo from February 1-5.

Dogo said his side are not done with their impressive performance in Kaduna, but will push for the winners in Uyo. “Continuity is the secret

of our impressive performance in the first leg of the NPFL Super 4 in Kaduna.

“We had bulk of our players intact, only few new ones to complement so it was easy for us to hit the ground run-

ning almost immediately,” Dogo told supersport.com.

He added, ‘We proved with our performance in Kaduna that we are not pushovers as we hope to further raise the bar in Uyo.’

Dogo

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